Bridge in Cumberland Township facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cunningham Bridge |
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Cunningham Bridge in 1982
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| Coordinates | 39°45′27″N 77°17′6″W / 39.75750°N 77.28500°W |
| Carries | Cunningham Road |
| Crosses | Marsh Creek |
| Locale | Greenmount, Adams County, PA |
| Maintained by | PennDOT |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | mainspan is the "first example" of a Baltimore truss |
| Total length | 256 feet (78 m) |
| Width | 13 feet, 8 inches |
| Load limit | 3 tons |
| Clearance above | 11 feet, 7 inches |
| History | |
| Closed | 1990 |
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Bridge in Cumberland Township
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| Area | 0.9 acres (0.36 ha) |
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| Built | 1894 |
| Architect | Nelson & Buchanon |
| NRHP reference No. | 88000866 |
| Added to NRHP | June 22, 1988 |
The Cunningham Bridge is a historic bridge located in Adams County, Pennsylvania, near Greenmount, Pennsylvania. It is recognized as a special landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This iron bridge has three sections and stretches from Franklin Township to Cumberland Township. It is known for being the oldest example of a specific type of bridge design called a Baltimore truss.
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The Cunningham Bridge Story
The Cunningham Bridge has an interesting history, filled with important dates and events. It shows how old structures can be both useful and historically significant.
Building the Bridge
The bridge was built in 1894 by the Pittsburgh Bridge Company. Engineers Nelson & Buchanon helped design and construct it. It was placed about half a mile west of Greenmount.
Upgrades and Closure
In 1986, work began to upgrade the bridge. This project cost over $138,000. However, just a few years later, in 1990, the bridge was closed to traffic. It has remained closed ever since.
Surviving the Flood
The Cunningham Bridge faced a big challenge in 1996. After being hit by a car, it then survived a massive flood on June 19. This flood was so powerful that it washed away other bridges nearby. For example, the wooden Sachs Covered Bridge upstream and the iron Rothhaupt Bridge downstream were both destroyed. The Cunningham Bridge stood strong.
Plans for the Future
After the flood, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) studied the bridge in 1997. They suggested replacing the entire bridge. Local citizens were concerned about this plan. The Adams County Citizens Alliance held a meeting in April 1997 to discuss the bridge's future.
In 2000, PennDOT planned to tear down the Cunningham Bridge. However, county leaders passed a resolution in 2002. They wanted to keep the bridge in its location. They also wanted to save as much of its historic design as possible. Despite these efforts, the bridge was still scheduled for demolition in 2011.
