One-of-a-kind bridge in West Finley Township to get new life in Cross Creek County Park
Washington County hopes to repurpose a 136-year-old bridge, notable not only for its advanced age but its unusual construction, as part of a walking and biking trail in Cross Creek County Park.
Lisa Cessna, executive director of Washington County Planning Commission, which oversees both bridges and parks, informed commissioners recently of her plans for the Potter Bridge in West Finley Township, east of Beham Ridge and south of Claysville. The bridge has been closed since May 2010 due to its structural issues.
According to dictionary.com, a pony truss is defined as “a through bridge truss having its deck between the top and bottom chords and having no top lateral bracing.”
In other words, you already have to know bridge lingo to understand what a pony truss is.
Although dictionary.com says the term was “first recorded in 1930-35,” the Potter Bridge, according to bridgehunter.com, was built in 1881 as a Pratt pony truss. It is also known by a more mundane designation, “Wheeling No. 8,” for the tributary of the creek it spans.
“(The state Department of Transportation) did a statewide study of truss bridges to determine ones that are historically significant, and several of the county’s are considered historically significant,” Cessna said. “That information then goes to the Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission, (which) has review responsibility any time we go for a Department of Environmental Protection permit.”
“Wheeling No. 8 is a unique structure. It’s one-of-a-kind in the state. We have to try to save it somewhat,” Cessna said. “They want to see an effort, if it’s cost-effective, to preserve as many of these as we can. Wheeling No. 8 is one that definitely needs to be repurposed.”
The county is in the process of designing a trail that connects Route 50 to Lynn Portal. “The permit has already gone in to DEP for review and there’s a wet area we’re trying to skirt around,” Cessna said.
Earlier this month, the commissioners approved a $12,500 supplement to a contract with HRG Inc. for its trail design contract.