Progress made to fix Lower Trail bridge
Lower Trail officials working at rapid pace to reopen structure
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WILLIAMSBURG -- Progress continues to be made in efforts to reopen the Dilling Bridge on the Lower Trail.
The bridge, located between mile markers 9 and 10, is near the midpoint of the 16.5-mile walking/biking trail that runs from Flowing Spring near Canoe Creek to Alfarata near Alexandria.
The bridge was marked for closure Aug. 29 following an inspection by Keller Engineers Inc., Hollidaysburg.
The problem is the deterioration of one of the bridge's supporting piers.
"We are making rapid progress. We believe we have found a contractor able to do the work quickly," said Adam Bergstein, president of Rails to Trails of Central Pennsylvania Inc., which owns the trail. "The contractor is considering a donation of materials to help offset costs. This contractor has been great to work with on this project; we have been working together to find a way to get this done. This contractor has a high degree of specialization."
Rails to Trails has applied for an emergency repair clearance that would enable it to move quicker and be eligible for different kinds of funding. Officials have not disclosed an estimated cost of the work.
Rails to Trails has been working with Keller Engineers and they have put together a checklist of 12-15 items, which will require several permits to proceed with the work.
"We are close to receiving the permits to do the work. We have found a safe way to do the work," Bergstein said.
Bergstein said this will be a several-phase project, but completing the first phase would enable the bridge to be reopened.
"With some luck, we may be able to reopen the bridge relatively quickly within the coming months. The coming months are critical for us, phase one will take about two weeks to compete. The timing is critical, if we get extreme weather, heavy rain or winter and freezing, that will make this more complicated," Bergstein said. "If the weather changes, we can't do some of the work now and the cost changes significantly. We are working to get the bridge open in a safe and viable manner, but there are too many unknowns."
Rails to Trails of Central Pennsylvania Inc. has set up a GoFundMe page to help with expenses.
"We have had some great donations," Bergstein said. "We are working at a pace and speed like I have never seen before."
Mirror Staff Writer Walt Frank is at 814-946-7467.