A GOOD EXAMPLE AS TO WHAT IS POSSIBLE
AN EXAMPLE OF PROUD WORKMANSHIP
It has now been over a year since the restoration of a historic bridge in Albany township, Berks county. This bridge is just off Rt 143 near Kempton. It is on the Old Philadelphia pike. I passed routinely as they restored this bridge. They stripped it down to its foundations and put it back together. It is likely this bridge is as good or better than when it was first built. It sets a wonderful example to other municipalities when they consider replacing or restoring a bridge.
This is a larger than usual bridge that was common years ago, like the covered wooden bridges they held up remarkably well over the years. I tried to find out the details as to who conducted this restoration and the cost, but had little success. It seems it may have been a PenDot paid for project.
There are still quite a few of these bridges in service in the surrounding counties and there now seems to be a desire to restore them rather than replace them. They are a historic example of the engineering and workmanship of a past era and should be preserved.
It is encouraging to see that the talent and workmanship to restore this bridge to its original function and beauty has not yet been lost.
In Allentown, Schreiber's stone arch bridge has been in service since 1828. Recently, when the 15th Street bridge built in the mid 1950's had to be replaced, Schreiber's was still carrying the load.
ReplyDeleteYes Mike, The stone bridges, covered bridges and bank barns were a marvel in engineering.
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