Narrowsburg–Darbytown Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Narrowsburg–Darbytown Bridge |
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Elevation in winter
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| Coordinates | 41°36′35″N 75°03′43″W / 41.609715°N 75.061855°W |
| Carries | 2 lanes of  PA 652 and  NY 52 |
| Crosses | Delaware River |
| Locale | Darbytown, Pennsylvania and Narrowsburg, New York |
| Official name | Narrowsburg–Darbytown Bridge |
| Owner | New York–Pennsylvania Joint Interstate Bridge Commission |
| Maintained by | New York–Pennsylvania Joint Interstate Bridge Commission |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Steel arch under bridge |
| Number of spans | 1 |
| Piers in water | None |
| History | |
| Construction begin | April 16, 1953 |
| Opened | August 31, 1954 |
The Narrowsburg–Darbytown Bridge is a cool bridge that crosses the Delaware River. It connects Darbytown, Pennsylvania with Narrowsburg, New York. This bridge helps cars travel on Pennsylvania Route 652 and New York State Route 52. Narrowsburg is a small place right by the river, known for being the narrowest part of the Delaware River.
Contents
A Bridge Through Time
Early Bridges and Tolls
Imagine a time when bridges weren't free! Back in the early 1800s, around 1810 or 1830, a company called the Narrowsburg Bridge Company got permission to build a bridge here. This bridge was about 25 feet (7.6 meters) wide.
The company charged a toll to cross the bridge. For example, a wagon with one horse cost about 37 and a half cents. A person walking paid 6 cents. To understand how much this was, a good worker back then might earn one dollar for a whole day's work.
This bridge was part of a bigger transportation system. It connected to the Mount Hope–Lumberland Turnpike, a special road built in 1812. This road went from Orange County, New York to Honesdale, Pennsylvania.
Challenges for Early Bridges
Building bridges across the Delaware River was tough. The river's ice and high water often caused problems. Records show that at least two bridges were destroyed by these natural forces before 1848.
The Iron Bridge and Becoming Free
In 1899, a new iron bridge was built by the Oswego Bridge Company. This strong structure lasted for many years. It was used until the current bridge was finished in 1954.
For a long time, people still had to pay a toll to cross. But on January 12, 1927, the bridge finally became free! The New York-Pennsylvania Joint Bridge Commission bought it for $55,000.
The Current Bridge and Recent Repairs
The bridge you see today was completed and opened on August 31, 1954. It's an arch under bridge design, meaning the main support structure is an arch underneath the road.
In 2013, the bridge needed some urgent repairs. These repairs cost between $200,000 and $250,000. More plans for structural repairs, repaving, and repainting were announced for 2017 and 2018. These important updates were finished in 2018, helping to keep the bridge safe and strong for everyone who uses it.
