This story was first published in The Titusville Herald.
In 1878 when a metal truss bridge was built over Pine Creek in Oil Creek Township it was mostly to carry foot traffic and horse and buggies. Cars weren’t even thing yet. That same bridge will once again service foot traffic spanning over Linesville Creek on the other side of the county.
It is part of a historical preservation project made possible through federal Transportation Alternative Set-Aside funding.
It is part of a historical preservation project made possible through federal Transportation Alternative Set-Aside funding.
“The program provides money for projects that support on- and off-road pedestrian and bicycle facilities, infrastructure projects for improving non-driver access to public transportation and enhanced mobility, community improvement activities, and environmental mitigation, trails that serve a transportation purpose, and safe routes to school projects,” according to a PennDOT press release.
The $2,289,000 project was awarded Horizon Construction Group Inc. of Sandy Lake.
“I think anytime you’re able to preserve a piece of Crawford County history and, even more so the historical significance of a bridge like this for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the county is proud to see this bridge have new life and it will continue to serve the county for many years to come,” said Crawford County Commissioner Christopher Soff.
The $2,289,000 project was awarded Horizon Construction Group Inc. of Sandy Lake.
“I think anytime you’re able to preserve a piece of Crawford County history and, even more so the historical significance of a bridge like this for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the county is proud to see this bridge have new life and it will continue to serve the county for many years to come,” said Crawford County Commissioner Christopher Soff.
A small press conference was held Tuesday at the site where the bridge was hoisted into place Thursday. The bridge was reassembled using hot rivets to keep it historically accurate. Modern bridges use bolts.
When completed the bridge will help connect trails that add an extra 3.5 miles Pymatuning State Park trail system. PennDOT and the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Environmental resources teamed up to keep this bridge alive.
Soff said he values the importance of trails and recreation in the county and is proud to see this project nearing its fruition.
The Messerall Truss Bridge is a metal bowstring truss bridge. It was closed in 1987 due to deterioration.
When completed the bridge will help connect trails that add an extra 3.5 miles Pymatuning State Park trail system. PennDOT and the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Environmental resources teamed up to keep this bridge alive.
Soff said he values the importance of trails and recreation in the county and is proud to see this project nearing its fruition.
The Messerall Truss Bridge is a metal bowstring truss bridge. It was closed in 1987 due to deterioration.
Last August it was lifted by crane and taken away to begin the refurbishing process. About 75% of the bridge is original with new parts made for pieces that were too far gone to save. The bridge was sandblasted and repainted for its new home on the multi-use trail outside Linesville Borough near the spillway.
“This project offered a unique and important opportunity for PennDOT and the DCNR to partner for the benefit of various communities all at once,” said Brian McNulty, PennDOT District 1 Executive. “The DCNR was able to enhance a popular stretch of trail that users have been requesting for a long time. Crawford County was able to pass on a closed bridge so it could be preserved in a new location. And PennDOT was able to facilitate the sometimes-complicated construction process that accompanies historic structures and trail creation for the benefit of the community here in Linesville, as well as the (thousands) of visitors the park receives every year.”
“This project offered a unique and important opportunity for PennDOT and the DCNR to partner for the benefit of various communities all at once,” said Brian McNulty, PennDOT District 1 Executive. “The DCNR was able to enhance a popular stretch of trail that users have been requesting for a long time. Crawford County was able to pass on a closed bridge so it could be preserved in a new location. And PennDOT was able to facilitate the sometimes-complicated construction process that accompanies historic structures and trail creation for the benefit of the community here in Linesville, as well as the (thousands) of visitors the park receives every year.”
Last two photos provided by PennDOT
The bridge will be fitted with a wooden deck and opened for public use by the end of the month. The entire project is expected to be completed in October.
“The DCNR and our Pymatuning State Park staff are proud to be the caretakers of a piece of Crawford County history for years to come and excited to see the trail wind its way into Linesville,” said State Parks Director John Hallas.
Information on the project is available online at www.penndot.gov/District1. The DCNR will also share information on their Pymatuning State Park Facebook page.
“The DCNR and our Pymatuning State Park staff are proud to be the caretakers of a piece of Crawford County history for years to come and excited to see the trail wind its way into Linesville,” said State Parks Director John Hallas.
Information on the project is available online at www.penndot.gov/District1. The DCNR will also share information on their Pymatuning State Park Facebook page.
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