(erielack) Fw: Kinzua Bridge

["Schuyler G Larrabee" <sgl2_@_ix.netcom.com>]

- ----- Original Message -----
From: "Larry DeYoung" Subject: Fw: Kinzua Bridge


>
>       Press Release Source: Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and
> Natural Resources
>
> PA DCNR: Emergency Repair Work Begins on Kinzua Bridge in McKean County
> Thursday February 27, 4:05 pm ET
>
>
> HARRISBURG, Pa., Feb. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- The first steps toward restoring
> structural stability to the historic Kinzua Bridge in McKean County are
> under way, as the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR)
> today announced a $3.9 million emergency repair project has started this
> week at the McKean County landmark that annually draws thousands of
> pedestrians and excursion train travelers.
> The department announced the closing of the 2,053-foot-long viaduct to
> pedestrian and rail traffic in the summer of 2002, after regular
inspections
> showed severe rusting and deterioration within its steel understructure.
>
> "This agency and its contractor are forging ahead to restore what has
always
> been a safe and popular tourist attraction in McKean County," said DCNR
> Acting Secretary Michael DiBerardinis. "Our analyses showed bridge
> deterioration worse than originally estimated. Thankfully, commitment of
our
> engineers and the contractor match the scope of the problem.
>
> "Beginning Wednesday, after scaffolding was erected, work crews started
> examining the bridge, tower by tower," Secretary DiBerardinis said.
"Though
> weather is not the crews' strongest ally right now, they are determined to
> embark on a detailed work plan as quickly as possible."
>
> Since late last month, the emergency contractor, W.M. Brode Co. of
> Newcomerstown, Ohio, a national leader in railroad bridge construction and
> repair, has been moving trailers, equipment, and materials to its
> construction site. More recently, suspended scaffolding was erected, and a
> pipe bridge was installed beneath the viaduct to transport workers and
> materials.
>
> "Emergency repair of this structure is no easy task, but all parties
> involved are fully committed to returning foot and rail traffic to this
> historic landmark and popular tourist attraction," Secretary DiBerardinis
> said. "We understand the significant value of this bridge and surrounding
> state park to the economy of McKean County."
>
> Business and civic leaders in the northwest section of the state, where
> Kinzua Bridge State Park alone has drawn more than 215,000 visitors
> annually, hailed the commitment and work start-up.
>
> "The Kinzua railroad bridge is the largest single tourist attraction in
our
> region," said Linda Devlin, executive director of the Allegheny National
> Forest Vacation Bureau. "We are very pleased that DCNR is actively working
> with its contractor, and we look forward to the reopening of the bridge to
> pedestrian and excursion train traffic.
>
> "When the train excursion is running in the fall, it is booked solid every
> day," said Devlin. "Tourists from all over come to view the spectacular
> autumn foliage, as well as to see a structure that is an internationally
> recognized landmark."
>
> Devlin noted the viaduct and surrounding state park are among Pennsylvania
> landmarks featured in the Italian television production, "Fly and Drive
> Pennsylvania," now airing on cable TV networks across Italy. The program
is
> designed to inform European tourists and encourage them to fly into
> Philadelphia and then drive across the state, visiting suggested points of
> interest.
>
> Secretary DiBerardinis stressed that while ongoing severe winter weather
has
> made for less than ideal working conditions, the contractor is expected to
> complete repair operations by spring 2004. Meanwhile, as repairs progress,
> sections of the span will be opened to pedestrians.
>
> Two full-time crews, at times numbering up to 30 workers, will be assigned
> to the bridge work, which will entail repairs to the bottom struts of the
> towers, the tower legs and their lacings, and replacement of roller
> bearings. Work will be concentrated on the bottom four levels of the
bridge
> where section loss to structural members could be as much as 80 percent.
>
> Funding for the emergency repairs is being provided from PENNDOT, the
> state's capital budget, and DCNR. Kinzua Bridge State Park remains open to
> all visitors while work is being conducted. Visitors still can photograph
> and view the viaduct from the observation deck adjacent to the bridge.
>
> The Kinzua Bridge was completed in 1882. At the time, it was the highest
> railroad bridge in the world at 301 feet from the center of the valley.
The
> structure was rebuilt in 1900 to handle heavier trains; it went unused
from
> 1959 to 1987.
>
> The state park around the bridge officially opened in 1970. In 1977, the
> Kinzua Viaduct received national recognition when it was placed on the
> National Register of Historic Civil Engineering Landmarks.
>
> For more information on Kinzua Bridge and Pennsylvania's other 115 state
> parks, call 1-888-PA-PARKS Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.;
or
> visit the PA PowerPort at www.state.pa.us, PA Keyword: "state parks."
>
> Visitors to ExperiencePA.com, the Commonwealth's official travel and
tourism
> web site, can view Kinzua Bridge and its eventual, ongoing repair work.
> Fixed cameras, or "web cams" supply updated photos of the bridge, one of
14
> popular statewide tourists attractions featured in the "Winter in
> Pennsylvania" series.
>
> For photos and details on the bridge, visit www.experiencePA.com; or
> directly at www.winterinpa.com/winterinpa/webcam_kinzua.jsp.
>
> CONTACT: Terry Brady of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and
> Natural Resources, +1-717-772-9101.
>
>
>
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --
> ----
> Source: Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
>
>

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