Why is DCS is getting involved with the Milanville – Skinners Falls Bridge project?

Your comments by April 30 can help persuade PennDOT to rehabilitate the historic Skinners Falls Bridge.

Let’s go back to why Damascus Citizens for Sustainability was started in 2008. When we found out that the oil and gas industry was planning approximately 2,400 fracked gas wells in Wayne County, PA, we were appalled. We could not ignore the potential damage to our clean water, our health (due to water, air and noise pollution), our environment and our climate. For us, this was a local issue (with global implications). All the things that we love about the Upper Delaware River (beautiful scenery, clean water and air, quiet, outdoor recreational activities, a “small town” feel, etc.) were threatened by the planned fracking onslaught. Also threatened was local tourism, though the industry claimed that tourists would come to see the gas wells. To make a long story short, we organized, fought for over 13 years and just this year achieved, along with many, many others, a ban on fracking in the Delaware River Basin. We are proud of this accomplishment.

The Skinners Falls Bridge project is another local issue that we care deeply about. Though it is a “small” issue, compared to fracking, the wrong choice (a 40 ton 2 lane bridge) would threaten some of the same things that were threatened by fracking. Therefore, DCS will fight for the preservation of the local area that we love, and that was instrumental in getting us started and supporting our work. DCS will use its experience, garnered over 13+ years, to fight for the preservation and rehabilitation of the historic Skinners Falls Bridge.

The Skinners Falls Bridge, currently closed, is located within the Milanville, PA Historic District and is, itself, on the National Register of Historic Places. PennDOT is considering 3 options for this bridge: Rehabilitation, complete removal (no bridge) or replacement with a new 2 lane bridge.

From PennDOT’s presentation, it appears that PennDOT, with some local political support, wants the third option – to tear down the landmarked bridge and replace it with a new 2 lane, 40 ton bridge. The existing bridge is 1 lane and had an original capacity of 9 tons. We maintain that it can be restored to its original capacity for use by cars, small trucks, ambulances, pedestrians and cyclists. Yes, this is a local issue in one sense, but it’s also part of a much wider set of issues:

Sustainability – Bigger is not better. Milanville, PA is valued for being quiet, safe and picturesque. It’s Historic District contains 14 structures listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It should not be the terminus of a large vehicle bridge/highway. The roads on the PA side are maximum 10 ton rated and only a lane and a half wide; coming off the bridge, large trucks could not even make the turn on the PA side.

Democracy – Even the local politicians who want the bridge restored are being ignored – see the River Reporter article on the nearly unanimous vote of the Upper Delaware Council (UDC) for restoration. The Project Advisory Committee (PAC) has no members of the Public on it and there is no way to engage that committee. No public notice has been given about their decision making process. We demand that the public have a voice in this process.

Heritage – The 102 year old bridge is a Landmarked structure interlocked with the Millanville, PA Historic District. Both are part of the Wild and Scenic Delaware River designation. Also important are the totality of land use issues and River impacts that would result from the construction of a 2 lane, 40 ton bridge. We demand an Environmental Impact Statement before any decision is made regarding the Bridge. This project brings up many other issues (See the commenting points). The Skinners Falls Bridge and surrounding area – including the Skinners Falls itself, are an important part of our home area that we want preserved and not destroyed.