Yesterday, August 10th, was a great day. My all-time favorite Pennsylvania metal truss bridge, Messerall Bridge, was moved from its former location to a staging area where it can be rehabilitated. It will then become part of the Spillway Trail in Pymatuning State Park. Ownership of the bridge was transferred from Crawford County to DCNR. When it is opened, probably next year, it will extend an existing trail to 2.5 miles for walking and hiking.
DCNR stepped up to the plate to take this rare 1876 wrought iron bridge and give it a second life. Federal Funds, most likely FHWA funds, are being used to pay for the project.
When I started my blog in 2018, it was my hope that some way, somehow this bridge could be rescued. I have used it as my masthead and on business cards. When the bridge is re-dedicated next year, I will take a picture and update everything. For now, I feel I could walk across the bridge, deck or no deck.
I, Beckerman, not Robot 
It’s one of my favorites too. I featured it in our “Historic Bridges of Crawford County” booklet that we did back in 2014. So great to see it saved and put back into service.
LikeLike