| Key Facts |
| Bridge Name | Facility Carried / Feature Intersected | Location | Structure Type | Construction Date / Builder or Contractor |
| Pine Hill Road Bridge | Pine Hill Road Over Scrubgrass Creek | Rural: Venango County, Pennsylvania | Metal Pinned Pratt Through Truss, Stationary | 1887 By: Smith Bridge Company of Toledo, Ohio |
| Technical Facts |
| Rehabilitation Date | Structure Length | Span Length | Bridge Width | Roadway Width | Main Spans | Approach Spans |
| 1940 | 112 Feet (34.1 Meters) | 109 Feet (33.2 Meters) | 16.1 Feet (4.9 Meters) | 15.7 Feet (4.8 Meters) | 1 | None |
This bridge is a seven panel Pratt through truss with pinned connections. It is a traditionally composed structure, and it dates to the older of the two main decades for pin-connected truss bridges, the 1880s and 1890s. The plaque has been stolen, but the bridge once had a Smith Bridge Company plaque on it. The bridge features traditional structural element design characteristic of Smith Bridge Company bridges from the period, including battens under the built-up top chord and end post, sway bracing that is a rolled beam, and the design of lattice portal bracing arrangement. The bridge is historically significant as a good example of this noteworthy company's work.
This bridge was damaged by a vehicle collision, and now PennDOT intends to use that as a great excuse to demolish this beautiful historic structure. The situation with this bridge illustrates the importance of preserving bridges now, before this sort of thing happens. Preservation solutions are available for bridges which are restored for continued vehicular traffic which allow the original railings to remain while also adding small, crash-resistant railings that protect the superstructure. PennDOT's decision to demolish this bridge, even in its condition, is highly disappointing. The bridge could certainly be placed in use for pedestrian use. PennDOT needs to design a comprehensive preservation plan for its historic bridges that would allow for extensive funding to preserve these beautiful historic bridges that play a large role in making Pennsylvania such a wonderful and cultural place to visit.
