Somerset County has 1,081 sq. miles of pure wonders, together with the Allegheny Mountains and Mount Davis, the best level in Pennsylvania. The district additionally has acres of fertile farmland, dense forests and quite a few lakes, rivers, streams and bays.
Man-made wonders, corresponding to reservoirs, railway tunnels and bridges, have been additionally constructed right here in order that residents of the county and companies may produce and transport items and other people throughout these hills, rivers and streams.
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One strategy to expertise each the pure and man-made great thing about Somerset County is to take a self-guided tour of the ten coated bridges nonetheless in use within the county.
Constructed within the mid-late 1800s, these coated bridges have been designed to help wagons stuffed with quite a lot of cargo and / or individuals and transport them from one place to a different, often crossing a river or stream. Wooden was typically used to construct bridges as a result of it was probably the most accessible native materials, and exterior siding and roofing have been added to guard the structural parts of the bridge from the climate.
Six of the ten coated bridges in Somerset County are owned and maintained by the county, mentioned Brad Zirfoss, director of planning on the Somerset County Planning Fee. 4 bridges are privately owned however nonetheless accessible to the general public.
“Coated bridges are an essential a part of our historical past of native transport,” Zirfoss mentioned. “All bridges in Somerset County are listed within the Nationwide Register of Historic Locations.
“As well as, coated bridges nonetheless stay a useful a part of our native transport infrastructure, offering automobile and non-motorized entry for residents and guests.”
All six coated bridges belonging to the district are open to every day site visitors, though every bridge has top and weight restrictions. 4 personal bridges are solely satisfactory.
Many of those coated bridges are additionally situated in distant areas, so be ready to drive on some bumpy two-lane roads, share the street with different automobiles or maybe an Amish horse and buggy, and use some detective issues alongside the best way.
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In response to Acacia Svonavets, Director of Advertising and marketing and Communications at Somerset County Chamber of Commerce, the gorgeous surroundings and distinctive design of those coated bridges make the sightseeing journey in style with guests to Somerset County.
A vacationer map of the bridge and a information made by the Chamber of Commerce are additionally accessible. It offers GPS coordinates, a map and detailed instructions to search out every of the coated bridges, in addition to strategies for different native locations to go to.
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Zirfoss mentioned Somerset County is dedicated to making sure that its coated bridges proceed to serve the county’s every day transportation wants for years to return.
“The district repeatedly inspects all of its greater than 60 bridges, together with coated ones,” he mentioned. “Coated bridges are very sturdy. The coated bridges belonging to the county are over 100 years outdated.
“Then again, the price of constructing a contemporary bridge as a substitute of a coated bridge can simply exceed $ 1 million, and it’ll take years to get permission and building.”
Here is a have a look at 10 coated bridges in Somerset County.
Barronvale Bridge
This bridge is situated outdoors of Rome Highway and State Route 653, 3 miles northwest of New Lexington. It’s the longest coated bridge in Somerset County, a little bit over 162 toes lengthy and about 13 toes broad. It was in-built 1830 and crosses Laurel Hill Creek. This bridge is privately owned however accessible for strolling.
Burkholder Bridge
This bridge is situated on Burkholder Bridge Highway, 2 miles north of Garrett on Freeway 219 North. It’s 52 toes lengthy and 12 toes broad. It was in-built 1870 and crosses Buffalo Creek. This county-owned bridge is open to automobiles, is 8 toes excessive and weighs 3 tons.
Glessner Bridge
This bridge is situated roughly 4 miles south of Route 30 close to Shanksville and alongside Route 1007 or Lambertsville Highway. It’s 90 toes lengthy and 12 toes broad. The bridge was in-built 1881 and crosses the river Stonikrik. Automobiles can cross by this county-owned bridge, which has a 9-foot, 9-inch floor clearance and a 3-ton weight restrict.
Royal Bridge
This bridge is situated on State Freeway 653 or Scalton Highway, about 3 miles west of New Lexington. It is nearly straight throughout the street from Ream Highway, the place you flip onto Barronvale Bridge. The Royal Bridge is 127 toes lengthy, about 12 toes broad and crosses Laurel Hill Creek. An indication on the bridge says it was in-built 1802 after which rebuilt in 1906 and 2008. The Royal Bridge might be the oldest coated bridge left in Somerset County. It’s privately owned and open for walks. There’s additionally ample parking and a picnic space.
Humbert’s Decrease Bridge
This bridge is situated on State Freeway 3007 or Humbert Highway, about one mile north of the intersection with Route 281 close to the village of Ursina. This bridge is about 126 toes lengthy, about 12 toes broad and crosses Laurel Hill Creek. The bridge was in-built 1891 and rebuilt in 1991. This county-owned bridge is open to automobiles with an 8-foot clearance and a 3-ton weight restrict.
New Baltimore Bridge
This bridge is situated off Route 1013 or Deeter Hole Highway and Route 1015 in New Baltimore. This bridge is about 86 toes lengthy, 12 toes broad and crosses the Raistown department of the Juniata River. It was in-built 1879, destroyed throughout a flood in 1996, then rebuilt and reopened to site visitors in 1998. Restrictions on the peak and weight of the car apply to journey by this district-owned construction. A challenge to interchange the state bridge is underway within the space this summer time, so guests ought to observe detour indicators to search out the coated bridge.
Saddle Bridge Package deal
This bridge is situated close to the intersection of Pine Valley Highway and Route 2019, or Glen Savage Highway, close to the village of Fairhope. It’s the shortest coated bridge in Somerset County, solely 48 toes lengthy and 14 toes broad. This county-owned bridge crosses Brash Creek, and its location is exclusive as a consequence of a cascading waterfall alongside one aspect of the bridge. The bridge was in-built 1870, rebuilt in 1950, and was broken by flood waters in 1996. The bridge was rebuilt within the county and reopened in 1998. Automobiles that shouldn’t have a top restrict of 9 toes, 11 inches and weigh 3 tons restrict can cross by this bridge.
Schafer Bridge
It’s the northernmost coated bridge within the county, situated alongside Route 985 or Somerset Pike, about 2 miles north of the village of Thomas Mills. The bridge is 68 toes lengthy and about 13 toes broad. It was in-built 1877 and crosses Bence Creek. The county-owned bridge is scheduled to be rebuilt this summer time, so site visitors could also be restricted as work progresses. Introduced 7-foot top and a weight restrict of three tons.
Trostlatown Bridge
This coated bridge is situated on North Membership Highway, close to the intersection of West Route 30, also called Lincoln Freeway, and Routes 403 and 281 close to Stoystown. An indication on the coated bridge says it was in-built 1873 after which rebuilt in 1965 and 1993 by the Stoystown Lions Membership. The bridge is 104 toes lengthy and about 12 toes broad. The bridge continues to be in its unique location, however is now a part of the American Legion Park, a public park that additionally consists of an outdated navy helicopter and tank, a former Stoystown Railroad Depot and a one-room faculty. The bridge is privately owned and open to pedestrians solely.
Walter Mill Bridge
This coated bridge is situated within the historic middle of Somerset, 10649 Somerset Pike in Somerset. It’s about 60 toes lengthy and 12 toes broad, and was in-built 1859. Within the Sixties, the bridge was moved from its unique location throughout Cox Creek to the Somerset residence to put it aside from demolition. Within the mid-Seventies, the bridge was moved to the historic middle of Somerset. The bridge was rebuilt in 1986 and reopened in 1987. This bridge belongs to the historic middle of Somerset and is open to pedestrians solely.
Extra sources: Somerset County Coated Bridges Map and Information, Somerset County Chamber of Commerce Journey Brochure; Historic Bridges of Somerset County, Pennsylvania, a publication written by Scott D. Heberling and produced in 2010 by Heberling Associates, Inc. for the Pennsylvania Division of Transportation and the Federal Freeway Administration; Coated Bridges of Pennsylvania: A Full Information. Authors: Benjamin D. Evans and June R. Evans, 1993, College of Pittsburgh.