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INWOOD IRON TRUSS BRIDGE REHABILITATION AND RELOCATION

LEBANON COUNTY, PA

This project relocated and preserved a historic, county-owned bridge while upgrading the accessibility for public access at the original location by replacing the old bridge with a new one. 

DESIGN, ENVIRONMENTAL, CONSTRUCTION , INFRASTRUCTURE, COMMUNITY

THE CHALLENGE

 

The 160-foot Inwood Iron Bridge carried T-575 (Iron Bridge Road) over Swatara Creek in Union and Swatara Townships, Lebanon County, PA. This historic county-owned bridge was closed to traffic in 2005 due to significant damage and deterioration. The closure created a safety issue for the flood-prone Monroe Valley community along T-473 (Old State Road). With the bridge closed, there was only one remaining route for the community downstream, which itself often flooded. The purpose of this project was to re-establish and maintain the T-575 crossing of Swatara Creek.

 

The single-span, pin-connected Pennsylvania steel thru truss Inwood Iron Bridge (c. 1899), fabricated by the Pittsburgh Bridge Company and erected by Nelson and Buchanan, is historically significant as one of the oldest surviving Pennsylvania thru truss highway bridges in the state and is eligible for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). Pre-1900 examples of Pennsylvania thru truss highway bridges were not common since the design was more often used for railroad applications. Fewer than six such roadway bridges have been identified in the state. Preservation of this important historic resource became a major focus of this project.

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HOW WE HELPED

To meet the purpose and needs of the project while not adversely affecting the significant historic bridge, the truss was relocated, and a new modern bridge was constructed at the existing crossing. The relocation of Inwood Iron Bridge allowed for its restoration and public use in a new park just downstream. Through effective partnering between Federal, State, County, and Local agencies, this project provided a long-term solution for preserving the historic resource while re-establishing a safe and reliable crossing.

inwood truss partial completion

RESULTS

The project team met the goals of the project by re-establishing and improving the safety of the previously closed T-575 crossing of Swatara Creek while preserving the NRHP eligible truss. All 17 project commitments were satisfied in full, and the project remained largely within budget and schedule expectations (outside of delays incurred due to COVID-19).

 

The safety of the surrounding area was greatly improved, providing increased emergency services access and improved sight distance. The aesthetics of both sites were ensured through the reuse of the original stonework, appropriate application of form liners, and the use of hot-driven rivets. The overall resulting project will serve the local community and general public well into the future, and far exceeded both PennDOT and the County’s needs and vision of this project.

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AWARDS

2021 Project of the Year, Under $20 Million Category - ASHE Harrisburg

 

LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS PROJECT

This project has been featured in numerous publications. Click any of the links below to learn more.

 

 

ashe award