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Bridge in West Earl Township facts for kids

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Bridge in West Earl Township
Bridge in West Earl Township PA.jpg
Bridge in West Earl Township in 1999.
Carries Farmersville Road (State Route 1010)
Crosses Conestoga River
Locale Brownstown, Pennsylvania
Other name(s) Big Conestoga Creek Bridge No. 12
Maintained by PennDOT
Characteristics
Design Cantilevered girder
Material Concrete
Total length 130 feet (40 m)
Width 18 feet (5.5 m)
Longest span 62 feet (19 m)
Number of spans 3
Piers in water 2
Load limit 20 short tons (18,000 kg)
History
Designer Frank H. Shaw
Constructed by Paul D. Kauffman
Bridge in West Earl Township
Bridge in West Earl Township is located in Pennsylvania
Bridge in West Earl Township
Location in Pennsylvania
Bridge in West Earl Township is located in the United States
Bridge in West Earl Township
Location in the United States
Area less than one acre
Built 1917
Built by Paul D.Kauffman
Architect Frank H. Shaw
MPS Highway Bridges Owned by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Transportation TR
NRHP reference No. 88000875
Added to NRHP June 22, 1988

The Bridge in West Earl Township is a special bridge. It's also known by its historic name, Big Conestoga Creek Bridge No. 12. This bridge is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It used to carry Farmersville Road over the Conestoga River. You can find it near Brownstown, in West Earl Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, United States.

The Historic Bridge in West Earl Township

This bridge was built in 1917. What made it special was its unique design. It was a three-part bridge made of concrete. It had a curved, continuous design. This means the main parts of the bridge were connected without breaks. It also had a special feature: it didn't touch its end supports, called abutments.

What Made This Bridge Special?

The Bridge in West Earl Township was a type of bridge called a girder bridge. It had three spans, which are the sections between supports. The design was continuous, meaning the main beams ran without interruption across all three sections. It was also an "arched" design, giving it a curved look. This unique style made it stand out.

Who Designed and Built It?

Frank H. Shaw designed this bridge. He was an engineer for Lancaster County when it was built in 1917. The builder who constructed the bridge was Paul D. Kauffman. The bridge was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places on June 22, 1988. This means it's recognized as an important historic structure.

Why Was It Replaced?

The original bridge served the community for many years. However, in 2019, a new bridge took its place. The new structure also has three spans, just like the old one. When building the new bridge, designers made sure it looked good. They wanted it to fit in with the area, especially since it replaced a historic landmark.

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