From PennDOT (via email), regarding the Skinners Falls Bridge Project: “Please note that due to the significant public response to the public meeting and survey, the survey response deadline has been extended to June 1, 2021.” PennDOT also stated: “We are maintaining an email contact list of people who provided their emails during the public meeting, responded to the study survey, or contacted the project hotline. We will provide periodic Skinners Falls Bridge updates to people on the contact list.” DCS is not aware of any notice to the general public, except for this sign on the PA and NY sides of the Bridge.

Your comments have succeeded in getting PennDOT to extend the comment period! Your further comments, before June 1, can help achieve restoration of this historic bridge (see DCS’s instructions and pointers for commenting). By making a comment, you will not only make your voice heard regarding the future of this beautiful, landmarked structure, but you will also be put on PennDOT’s contact list. This will allow you to stay informed about what PennDOT is doing. You can also become a consulting party on the project, which will provide you with even more information.

DCS has been in touch with Bach Steel, a metal fabricator that specializes in historic bridge restoration, including historic metal truss bridges. Bach Steel has provided a Letter of Support for the restoration of the Skinners Falls Bridge to DCS and has submitted this letter as a comment to PennDOT. This letter reads in part:

“I would like to express strong support for the restoration and preservation of the historic Skinners Falls Bridge over Delaware River. This bridge is an extremely rare example of a multi-span pin-connected Baltimore truss bridge. It is among the oldest known bridges associated with the American Bridge Company, having been built shortly after the company’s formation. The bridge is also ornately decorated, including portal knee bracing decoration, portal cresting, decorative builder plaque. There are also original lattice railings that are 20 inches in height and which feature beautiful decorative flower motifs. This is to say nothing of the geometric beauty of the complex Baltimore truss configuration combined with the complexity of the riveted built-up beams that contain v-lacing and lattice.

Bach Steel is in strong support of the restoration of this bridge. We have restored many historic metal truss bridges and we believe this bridge, like others we have restored, would be feasible and cost effective to restore. If fully restored, …. this bridge could serve for many decades more with minimal future maintenance costs.“

See the Bach Steel historic bridge restoration portfolio.