The Departments of General Services and Transportation are seeking buyers interested in purchasing and preserving the historic Pond Eddy Bridge in Pike County.

According to DGS Secretary Sheri Phillips, her department is currently accepting letters of interest until August 29 and bids until September 5 from potential buyers willing to preserve the bridge in a new location.

Built in 1904, the Pond Eddy Bridge carries Route 1011 over the Delaware River in Shohola Township, Pike County. The two-span bridge is 504 feet long and 16 feet wide. Each span of the bridge is 252 feet in length. Both spans of the bridge are available as a set or individually.

"The Pond Eddy Bridge is a significant part of the history of the towns of Pond Eddy, Pennsylvania, and Lumberland, New York, where it served as the only connection point between the two towns since its construction," Phillips noted. "By no means is the life of this bridge over. There are many other ways this bridge can continue to be a part of our state's history."

Phillips noted that historic bridges can be successfully adapted to become bike and walking bridges on trails, in parks and on college campuses.

"There are many applications this bridge can be adapted to fit and the flexibility of purchasing the spans as a pair, or individually, will enable potential owners to cover a large or smaller crossing," Phillips said.

In addition to the Pond Eddy Bridge, 10 county and locally owned bridges are currently being marketed through PennDOT's Bridge Marketing Program. The program allows state agencies, municipalities, non-profit organizations, educational institutions and the general public to purchase historic bridges that would otherwise be dismantled during replacement or removal projects.

PennDOT and DGS partner on marketing state-owned historic bridges, inviting the public to own or reuse some historic bridges that are being replaced by newer structures.

"Bridges are a rich part of Pennsylvania's history, and we have the third-highest number of bridges in the country," PennDOT Secretary Barry J. Schoch said. "While we sometimes have to replace historic bridges because of safety and modern traffic patterns, this program helps our historic structures live on in other uses."

Once a buyer is selected for the Pond Eddy Bridge, DGS will transfer ownership of the bridge to the buyer and PennDOT will remove the bridge and transport it to an agreed upon location.

While anyone can purchase eligible bridges through the program, the purchasers must agree that they will preserve the historical characteristics of the bridge and not sell it. New bridge owners are responsible for costs associated with the rehabilitation and future maintenance of the bridge.

For information on the Pond Eddy Bridge letter of interest and bid process, visit the DGS webpage and PennDOT’s Bridge Marketing Program webpage or call 717-705-1484.

7/21/2014