Above Photo Credit: www.skellyloy.com
| Key Facts |
| Bridge Name | Facility Carried / Feature Intersected | Location | Structure Type | Construction Date / Builder or Contractor |
| Luthers Mills Bridge Kendall Hill Road Bridge |
Kendall Hill Road Over Sugar Creek | Luthers Mills: Bradford County, Pennsylvania | Metal Riveted Pratt Through Truss, Stationary | 1912 By: Owego Bridge Company of Owego, New York |
| Technical Facts |
| Rehabilitation Date | Structure Length | Roadway Width | Bridge Width | Main Spans | Approach Spans |
| 1968 | 126 Feet (38.4 Meters) | 14.8 Feet (4.5 Meters) | 16.5 Feet (5 Meters) | 1 | None |
Here is a typical example of what is wrong with historic bridge preservation in a United States. This bridge is a beautiful, historically intact example of a traditional type of bridge and it is discarded as non-historic, and is not noted with any interpretive signage of any kind, and likely will be demolished when its sufficiency rating gets to low. However, located at the intersection near this bridge is a sign (albeit a bit worn out) pointing people to a historic wooden covered bridge which has been preserved. The time has come to end this blatent discrimination against other historic bridge types, and preserve bridges based on historic significance and feasibility. A bridge like the Luthers Mills Bridge is currently in decent condition, and as such a full restoration would not only be possible, it would also likely result in many more decades of functional life for the structure.
Information and Findings From Pennsylvania's Historic Bridge InventoryDiscussion of Bridge The one span, 126'-long, riveted Pratt thru truss bridge built in 1912 is supported on concrete abutments. The truss members are built up of angles, channels, and plate, and the rolled floorbeams are framed into the ends of the verticals. Lattice railings are attached to the inside faces of the trusses, and they continue across the tops of the flared wingwalls. The bridge appears to be complete, but it has no innovative or distinctive details, and it is a late example of its type and design. Neither the bridge nor its setting are historically or technologically significant. The fabricator, the Owego Bridge Co. is a prolific regional bridge builder. Discussion of Surrounding Area The single lane bridge carries a township road over a stream in the village of Luther's Mills. No mill was observed, and the surviving houses are highly altered with replacement windows, siding, and/or porch elements, like the one at the south end of the bridge. There are also modern houses. The settlement of about 8 houses does not have the consistency or cohesiveness to be a historic district. Bridge Considered Historic By Survey: No
Information From Skelly and Loy Demolition Mitigation WebsiteCounty Bridge Number 6 or Luthers Mill Bridge is a riveted Pratt thru truss bridge. Built in 1912 by the Owego Bridge Company,, it is a one span, 126’ long bridge supported on concrete abutments. The bridge now has an open grid deck as a result of the replacement of the flooring system in 1966. The rolled floorbeams are framed into the ends of the verticals. The truss members are built up of angles, channel, and plate with lattice railings attached to the inside faces of the trusses. This bridge has been determined not eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. |
