There will be a public display meeting, featuring AECOM and PennDot (the 2 entities that will decide the fate of the Skinners Falls Bridge), at the Narrowsburg Union (7 Erie Ave, Narrowsburg, NY) on Thursday April 25, from 5 PM to 7 PM. PennDOT is (again) accepting comments on this project. Comments should be emailed to skinnersfallsbridge@aecom.com by May 26.

Heather Gerling, M.A.
Districts 3 & 4 Architectural Historian
Department of Transportation
Bureau of Design and Delivery
Environmental Policy and Development Division
715 Jordan Avenue
Montoursville PA 17754

Dear Ms. Gerling,

We are writing again to identify our strong support for the rehabilitation of the existing Milanville Skinners Falls Bridge structure.

We are full time residents of the Upper Delaware River Valley, living on the Pennsylvania side.  When it was open, we used the Milanville Skinners Falls Bridge practically every day in order to cross into New York.

1. The Bridge is situated in a rural, residential, and quiet area that leads into a road on the Pennsylvania side that is only one and a half lanes wide. Both the neighborhood and road are not fit for the introduction of a larger bridge that would accommodate larger vehicles. Because the adjoining road (River Road south of the bridge) is not wide enough to accommodate larger vehicles, it would put public safety at risk. The increased traffic would also create unwanted additional noise affecting our current quality of life.
2. Larger trucks and emergency vehicles have always used alternate routes which are both supported by roads accommodating heavier loads. The fact is that River Road between Narrowsburg and Skinners Falls cannot handle the larger weighted or sized vehicles that would use a “new” bridge. Continued violation of weight restrictions on the existing bridge is not a reason to replace it. Rather, enforcement and surveillance make more sense.
3. The current bridge has historic significance as noted in the most recent documentation. It should be saved and restored for this reason. Coincidentally, it appears that the cost of rehabilitating the existing bridge is $3 million less than building a new bridge.
4. There is a significant amount of recreation and foot traffic near the existing bridge. There is the campground, a tube rental, and an inn on its north side. Public river access is on the south side. It also accommodated pedestrian traffic, walking between the New York side and the general store in Milanville. A wider bridge would encourage higher speeds, jeopardizing public safety.

Thank you,
Rose Biondi
Adam Curtis