Historic Covered Bridge ends renovation with grant funding
MORELAND TOWNSHIP – Lycoming County’s historic covered bridge in Moreland Township has received its final grant installment that completed its renovation this past December. A reimbursement agreement with was made with the State Department of Transportation so the county could receive state and federal funds to complete the covered bridge.
The County Commissioners approved a grant with the state to allow the county to receive about $100,000. That brings about $1.3 million to the amount of state and federal funds spent to renovate the bridge, which spans Little Muncy Creek in the township.
According to the county’s transportation planner, Mark Murawski, the cost of the renovation, which began early last fall, was covered entirely by state and federal funds. However, due to flooding in September, there were some setbacks.
Lycoming Supply performed the work on the bridge which included the installation of a new foundation, new flooring, new side boards and a metal roof. If the new infrastructure hadn’t been in place, the bridge would have been lost for sure in last September’s flooding stated Murawski. About two-thirds of the structure had already been replaced. Only the bridge trusses are original. “A lot of the debris was left upstream. If left unchecked, this would have washed down the stream, pushed the bridge and destroyed it,” Murawski said. Fortunately, the stream channel was improved by putting in a large rock which anchored the stream embankment on the east side so it won’t erode the foundation walls. This will also protect the bridge from future flooding.
The bridge was built in 1888, and by the time work began on it last year, it was in serious disrepair. The bridge is one of only about 150 still standing in the state. The bridge, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, may be in better condition than when it first was built. Two other bridges nearby were restored previously, one is in Buttonwood and the other one is in Buckhorn.
Visitors are encouraged to visit the bridges since they are historic landmarks.