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Erie
County, Pennsylvania
(WGN
38-25-03) (WGCB PA-25-03): (1868; destroyed by arson 2008)
A single-span multiple Kingpost truss 85' 9" over Elk Creek. On Gudgeonville
Road, approximately 3 miles east of Girard, Girard Township, Pennsylvania.
Directions: From I-90, Exit 4 (SR 98), go south on SR 98 for 1.3 miles
to Luther Road. Turn right on Luther Road and go 0.3 mile to Keefer Road.
Turn right on Keefer Road and go 0.2 mile to Beckman Road. Turn left on
Beckman Road and go 1.3 miles to Gudgeonville Road. Turn left on Gudgeonville
Road and go 0.7 mile to the bridge. On November 11, 2008, 15 days
after photographed, the bridge was destroyed by arson. Two men, age
21 and 23, who allegedly committed the crime, were caught by Pennsylvania
State Police on December 17, 2008 and face a number of charges including
arson, criminal mischief, conspiracy and reckless endangerment. On
January 26, 2009, the Schwartz Construction of Conneaut, Ohio, used a crane
to remove the remains of the bridge from its abutments. Any remaining
timbers that can be salvaged will be placed in storage at Girard Township.
The PennDOT is going to pay for a new covered bridge
to replace the burned structure. It, however, will not be an exact
replica, but one that has steel bracing and supports with covered wooden
top. The new bridge will be wider, possibly 2 lanes, to accommodate
snowplows and emergency vehicles. Date for construction of the new
bridge to begin is unknown, but will take several years and it will look
nothing like the original 1868 bridge. The structure rested on cut
stone abutments with wing walls that did not reach road level. The
bridge was nestled in a deep valley across Elk Creek, which has very high
banks of a rather unusual, silk like material that gives the appearance
of solid rock walls. It was covered with unpainted vertical boards
on the sides portals and and splash panels. The deck consisted of
runners laid over crosswise planking and a tin roof that projected beyond
the entrances to provide additional weather protection for the interior.
Also known as the
Gudgeonville Road Covered Bridge.
It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on September
17, 1980. (Oct 2008) |
