Riegelsville Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Riegelsville Bridge |
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| Coordinates | 40°35′39″N 75°11′27″W / 40.59422°N 75.19077°W |
| Carries | Delaware Road |
| Crosses | Delaware River |
| Locale | Pohatcong Township, New Jersey, and Riegelsville, Pennsylvania |
| Maintained by | Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Suspension bridge |
| Total length | 577 feet (176 m) |
| History | |
| Opened | 1904 |
| Statistics | |
| Toll | None |
The Riegelsville Bridge is a cool suspension bridge that crosses the Delaware River. It connects the town of Riegelsville, Pennsylvania, with Pohatcong Township, New Jersey, in the United States.
Contents
How the Riegelsville Bridge Was Built
Before the bridge, people crossed the Delaware River at Riegelsville using ferries. These were boats powered by oars, run by Wendel and Anthony Shenk. This was the main way to cross until December 15, 1837.
The First Wooden Bridge
In 1837, a new wooden covered bridge opened. It had three sections, called spans, and was used by horses, wagons, and people walking. The states of Pennsylvania and New Jersey had approved a company to build this bridge in 1835. Solon Chapin and James Madison Porter were the main contractors for the project.
Just three years after it opened, a big flood hit the Delaware Valley on January 8, 1841. The part of the bridge closest to New Jersey was destroyed. Workers quickly repaired the bridge. It then survived another flood in June 1862.
The "Pumpkin Flood" of 1903
On October 10, 1903, a huge flood, known as the "Pumpkin Flood," caused the Delaware River to rise very high. The water was about 33.8 feet (10.3 meters) above its normal level. The two sections of the bridge closest to New Jersey were quickly washed away. The third section fell apart soon after.
Building the Current Suspension Bridge
After the old bridge was destroyed, a famous company called John A. Roebling's Sons Co. was hired. They were known for their wire rope and engineering skills. This company, based in Trenton, New Jersey, built a new suspension bridge to replace the covered bridge.
The new bridge used the original stone supports, called piers. These piers were repaired and made taller. This helped the bridge survive big floods in 1936 and 1955 without major damage. The three sections of the bridge together are 585 feet (178 meters) long. The whole project cost $30,000. The current Riegelsville Bridge opened on April 18, 1904.
Bridge Design and Cables
Roebling's first plan for the bridge used main cables that were about 2.625 inches (6.67 cm) thick. Professor James Madison Porter III, whose grandfather helped build the first bridge, looked at the new design. He thought more cables were needed. So, extra cables, about 1.75 inches (4.45 cm) thick, were added to the plans.
How the Bridge Works Today
The Riegelsville suspension bridge used to collect tolls (money to cross). But it was later bought by a group that wanted to stop tolls. Now, the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission takes care of the bridge. They use money from bigger, busier bridges to maintain it.
The bridge has a weight limit of 3 tons. This means only lighter vehicles can cross it.
Images for kids
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Bridge detail, looking east
