Members of the Charleroi Area Historical Society are urging people to attend a meeting next week to oppose a plan to demolish the aging Charleroi-Monessen Bridge.
The Pennsylvania bridge has been closed since Feb. 19 after an inspection revealed a deteriorated pin joint supporting it on the Monessen side of the Monongahela River. A plan is on the table to dismantle the bridge and replace it with a modern design.
“It doesn’t make sense to tear it down,” society member Nikki Sheppick told the Observer-Reporter on Monday.
The 103-year-old steel through-truss bridge is listed on the National Register of Historic Places because of its design.
The state Department of Transportation is expected to announce its decision on the fate of the span at a meeting from 5 to 7 p.m. March 26 at a location yet to be determined.
Click here to read more about the matter.
(Caption: The tugboat Slackwater moored in North Charleroi below the Charleroi-Monessen Bridge during the early 20th century. Photo courtesy of Charleroi Area Historical Society.)
3 comments:
I'm torn on wether I think they should tear it down or not. It would be a shame since it is a historic design, but everytime I cross it I fear for my life- as it pulls me to the left side. Always into the path of an oncoming MMVTA bus. Hah!
I hear that a lot.
If they limited the weight of the vehicles on the bridge perhaps it wouldn't have deteriorated as quickly. I"m hoping they don't tear it down as we can see by the bridges on the toll road, that our designers don't know what they are doing. This bridge stood for 103 years, 2 years longer than my grandmother lived. I hope it stands a lot longer. They built things to last then. They don't now.
Post a Comment