The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced that the Skinners Falls Bridge, carrying Route 1002 over the Delaware River in Wayne County, will be dismantled before the end of the year. The decision comes after a recent inspection revealed the bridge’s condition necessitates its removal for public safety, particularly for river traffic.
PennDOT clarified that “dismantling” does not equal “demolition.” In a call with the Upper Delaware Council, PennDOT says the motivation is to take down the bridge before it could collapse, catalog its components, and store them, with future rehabilitation still being studied.
Closed to vehicular traffic since 2019, PennDOT says the bridge poses a risk to Delaware River boating and recreational activities. PennDOT, in conjunction with federal and state agencies, including those in New York, will prioritize dismantling the bridge before winter sets in.
A virtual public meeting is scheduled for Thursday, November 14, 2024, at 2:00 PM to provide further information. Attendees can join the meeting via Microsoft Teams at https://bit.ly/SkinnersMeeting
Further updates and information about the Skinners Falls Bridge are available on the PennDOT website.
Image Credit: PennDOT