Pond Eddy Bridge

Infobox_nrhp | name =Pond Eddy Bridge
nrhp_type =


caption =
nearest_city= Pond Eddy, Pennsylvania
lat_degrees = 41
lat_minutes = 26
lat_seconds = 21
lat_direction = N
long_degrees = 74
long_minutes = 49
long_seconds = 13
long_direction = W
locmapin = Pennsylvania
area =
built =1904
architect= Oswego Bridge Co.
architecture= Other
added = November 14, 1988
governing_body = State
mpsub=Highway Bridges Owned by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Transportation TR
refnum=88002170cite web|url=http://www.nr.nps.gov/|title=National Register Information System|date=2007-01-23|work=National Register of Historic Places|publisher=National Park Service]

The Pond Eddy Bridge is a petit truss bridge that spans the Delaware River between Lumberland, New York and Pond Eddy, Pennsylvania. It was built in 1904 by the Oswego Bridge Company and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The bridge is accessible from NY 97 in Lumberland and two dead end local roads in Pond Eddy. Over the years, the bridge's condition has deteriorated, with the amount of weight it can stand being lowered over time. In 2005, the town of Narrowsburg signed a law to replace the bridge and was sent to PennDOT. There has been however, a rebellion to save the bridge.

History

The Pond Eddy Bridge was assembled in 1904 by the Oswego Bridge Company. The bridge was built to replace an old suspension bridge that washed away in a 1903 flood. It was constructed primarily to connect the quarries of bluestone in Pennsylvania to New York. The bridge remained intact for many years, and was nominated for the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 1988 for its engineering significance. It is also listed in the New York State Register of Historic Places.cite web|url=http://www.preservenys.org/seven2002.htm|title=Seven to Save 2002|publisher=Preservation League of New York State|accessdate=2008-05-05|date=2001]

Although the bluestone quarries are no longer active, the bridge serves as the only access to 22 homes on the Pennsylvania side. Automobile crossings average about 80 per day, including the only access residents have to emergency services. Plans to replace the ailing bridge began in 1999.

Replacement plans

In 2005, Narrowsburg (New York) passed a bill to ask PennDOT to replace the deteriorating structure. As the bridge began to fall in disrepair, PennDOT and Narrowsburg lowered the maximum weight limit on the bridge. The same year, a firm in Millburn, New Jersey said replacing the bridge would cost about $6.16 million while keeping it maintained would cost even more, and raise its life expectancy by no more than 15 years.cite news|url=http://www.riverreporter.com/issues/05-08-11/news-pondeddy.html|title=River council supports new bridge at Pond Eddy|first=Charlie|last=Buterbaugh|publisher=The River Reporter|accessdate=2008-05-05|date=August 2005] The Upper Delaware Council deemed that the 8 ton (7.2 tonne) limit on the bridge was inadequate for service trucks and emergency vehicles. The Shohola Township supervisors support maintaining the existing bridge, but the Lumberland Town Board is not convinced that it would work.

Current plans

In 2007, proposals continued to be floated regarding the 103-year old structure. If the choice to replace the bridge was accepted, it would cost $7-8 million and take two years to complete. If the choice to rehabilitate it was accepted, the bridge would have to be brought up to code and be able to stand 40 tons. A preservation group formed to oppose replacement of the bridge. The founder compared the bridge to the Dingmans Ferry Bridge on the Pennsylvania-New Jersey border, which carries similar traffic loads. One possibility is to replace the bridge, but move the antique structure to elsewhere in Sullivan County. The bridge is said to be a tourist attraction and a significant part of the local economy.cite news|url=http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070508/NEWS/705080307|title=Decision near on fate of Pond Eddy Bridge; the Pa. DOT is thinking of replacing it, while local groups want to save it|first=Sarah|last=Koenig|publisher=Times Herald-Record|accessdate=2008-05-05|date=May 08, 2007]

In June 2008, a compromise was made defining the possibility of a $12 million bridge to replace the 104-year-old deteoriating structure. PennDOT has suggested that they'll let any takers preserve the bridge by taking it somewhere else. However, there has been no response and plans for the new bridge are planned to begin by 2010.cite news|url=http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080603/COMM/806030318|title=Catskill Confidential: Compromise reached regarding Pond Eddy Bridge|first=Sarah|last=Koenig|publisher=Times Herald-Record|accessdate=2008-06-16|date=June 03, 2008]

References

Crossings navbox
structure = Crossings
place = Delaware River
bridge = Pond Eddy Bridge
bridge signs =
upstream = Barryville-Shohola Bridge
upstream signs =
downstream = Mid-Delaware Bridge
downstream signs =