Construction began on Monday, Sept. 14, to rehabilitate the historic Knox Covered Bridge on Yellow Springs Road in Valley Forge National Historical Park, said PennDOT in a press release.
The Knox Covered Bridge in Tredyffrin Township is the second of three covered bridges in Chester County to move to construction as part of PennDOT’s $3,201,562 improvement project, the release said.
Work began last month to repair the Rapps Dam Covered Bridge on Rapps Dam Road in East Pikeland Township, which is expected to reopen in October. The Speakman Covered Bridge on Frog Hollow Road in West Marlborough and East Fallowfield townships will move to construction in 2016.
The Knox Covered Bridge, which was closed to traffic after being struck by a large vehicle on July 6, is expected to reopen in late December. PennDOT’s contractor will work the next three months to repair damaged and deteriorating wooden truss support members inside the barn; repair the damaged wall and siding; replace the timber deck; reinforce steel support beams with steel plates; and repair the stone masonry abutments and stone masonry sidewalls, the release said.
During construction, motorists will continue to follow the posted detour of Route 252, Swedesford Road and North Valley Road. Local access will be maintained up to the bridge. Motorists are advised to continue to allow extra time when traveling through the area. The work is weather dependent.
The Knox Covered Bridge, which averaged 2,000 vehicles a day before its closure, was built in 1865 and rehabilitated in 1996 and 2006. In 2012, PennDOT, Valley Forge National Historical Park, and the Friends of Valley Forge Park partnered and completed an enhancement project that painted the outside of the covered bridge and replaced deteriorated wooden panels.
Eastern Highway Specialists, Inc. of Wilmington, Del. is the general contractor on this project. The Knox Covered Bridge and Speakman Covered Bridge are financed with 100 percent state funds, and the Rapps Dam Bridge is financed with 80 percent federal and 20 percent state funds. PennDOT will seek reimbursement for the cost of repairing the Rapps Dam Bridge from the trucking company responsible for the damage.
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