Damascus Citizens for Sustainability (DCS) and Milanville, PA resident Cynthia Nash have filed a federal lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania seeking to halt the planned demolition of the historic Skinners Falls-Milanville Bridge.
The lawsuit demands an immediate injunction to stop all activities related to the destruction of the iconic bridge, including planning, right-of-way acquisition, financing, and contracting. The action challenges a federally-funded emergency demolition project that includes the use of explosives and the construction of a temporary causeway in the Delaware River.
The Skinners Falls Bridge spans the Delaware River between Damascus Township, Wayne County, PA, and Skinners Falls in Cochecton, NY. It lies within the federally protected Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River, designated under the National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act.
In their complaint, DCS and Nash argue that the decision to demolish the bridge violates several federal environmental and historic preservation laws, including the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), and Section 4(f) of the Department of Transportation Act. They contend that the bridge could be rehabilitated and preserved, and that the “emergency” demolition designation is being used as a pretext to bypass proper regulatory review.
The suit also cites Article I, Section 27 of the Pennsylvania Constitution, known as the Environmental Rights Amendment, arguing that the defendants have failed to uphold Pennsylvanians’ constitutional right to the preservation of the state’s natural, scenic, historic, and aesthetic values.
DCS is asking the public for support via a GoFundMe campaign to help with legal costs.
In response to the filing, PennDOT said in an email statement, ““The bridge will not be demolished this week as previously planned. The project team is currently working through some legal issues that have arisen in the past few days. Once we receive additional information, we will provide an update.”
Image: Residents protesting the proposed demolition of the Skinners Falls Bridge in April 2024. (Credit: River Reporter)
Save the Historic Skinners Falls Bridge in Milanville, PA — Help Stop the Demolition
Hi, my name is Rose Biondi, and I’ve launched this fundraiser on behalf of Damascus Citizens for Sustainability to help preserve the historic Skinners Falls Bridge in Milanville, Pennsylvania — a treasured landmark listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Despite spending $4 million on studies to explore alternatives, PennDOT has opted to demolish the bridge, allocating $8 to $10 million for its destruction. Shockingly, there is no plan to replace it.
The Skinners Falls Bridge is an exceptionally rare example of a multi-span, pin-connected Baltimore truss bridge. Built shortly after the formation of the American Bridge Company, it stands as one of the oldest of its kind — a living testament to our region’s rich engineering heritage.
More than just a historic structure, the bridge serves as a vital link for our community. Its loss would sever connections, disrupt daily lives, and erase a part of our collective history.
We believe there is a better way. Funds raised through this campaign will go directly toward legal fees to support the Damascus Citizens for Sustainability in their efforts to pause the demolition. This will give us time to pursue viable alternatives, including non-destructive stabilization and rehabilitation — saving the bridge for generations to come.
As an UPDATE, please be aware that Damascus Citizens for Sustainability has recently filed a Complaint as well as an application for a Temporary Restraining Order to prevent the demolition of the Skinners Falls Bridge.
Here is a link to the Complaint:
https://www.damascuscitizensforsustainability.org/2025/04/08/dcs-seeks-injunction-against-the-demolition-of-the-skinners-falls-bridge/
This legal action moves us closer to saving the Skinners Falls Bridge.
Every donation matters. Your support will help us stand up for our community, our history, and a future where the Skinners Falls Bridge continues to serve as a cherished landmark.
Thank you for being part of this important fight. Together, we can make a difference.
https://gofund.me/33fd8506
Thank you for all the work that is going into saving our historic bridge and protecting the beauty of our neighborhood. Let’s keep the heat on, the work has been temporarily stopped. Please donate to keep the legal team funded, as they push for the better solution. Let’s all get behind the plan to rehabilitate this piece of engineering history, which for over a century has kept our communities together.