Millmont Red Covered Bridge

The Millmont Red Covered Bridge spans Penns Creek along Covered Bridge Road near Millmont, Pennsylvania.

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The Millmont Red Covered Bridge spans Penns Creek along Covered Bridge Road near Millmont, Pennsylvania.

Built in 1855 from Eastern Hemlock pine, ² the bridge features a Burr arch truss design. It was rehabilitated in 1958, ¹ and by the 1970s, its weight limit was reduced to three tons. In 1976, a steel and concrete bridge was constructed nearby, leading to the closure of the covered bridge to vehicular traffic. Since then, it has remained open only to pedestrians.

The bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.

In 1998, it was officially closed to automobile traffic. ⁷ In 2000, the county approved a contract for painting and carpentry work to address vandalism and maintain the bridge’s condition. ⁸ While the county sought funding for a larger $1.05 million rehabilitation project—including a federal line item grant and Act 26 Covered Bridge funding—a windstorm on February 12, 2009, with gusts up to 65 mph, tore the roof from the bridge. ^{5 7}

A full rehabilitation project began in 2010, funded entirely by a $1.65 million federal grant. ³ The restoration was led by Coukart & Associates Inc. and Lycoming Supply Inc. of Williamsport. ⁶ The project involved capping existing abutments, new piers, the replacement of 50% of the bridge’s wooden truss system and structural timber repairs, structural steel placement, roof replacement, the installation of timber decking and running boards, and the paving of approaches. ¹⁰ The bridge reopened in November. ²

On March 18, 2016, the bridge was closed to automobiles again after a structural failure was discovered during an inspection by the county bridge engineer, Larson Design Group, and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. ^{4 6} However, it remained open to pedestrians and cyclists.

On July 7, 2020, county commissioners approved a contract with Larson Design Group to design repairs at a cost of $163,231, ⁶ which were performed in that year.

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Details

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Sources

1. Snyder, Charles M. “Millmont Red Bridge.” National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination Form, Union County Historical Society, 1970.
2. Thompson, Erin. “County shows bridge work.” The Daily Item, 29 Jul. 2010, pp. A1-A2.
3. Showers, John. “Value of preservation.” The Daily Item, 7 August. 2010, p. A5.
4. “Historical bridge closed temporarily.” The Daily Item, 19 Mar. 2016, p. B3.
5. Kerr, Doug. “Millmont Covered Bridge – Union County, Pennsylvania.” Gribblenation, 16 Dec. 2021.
6. “Bridges Under Repair.” National Society for the Preservation of Covered Bridges, 12 May 2024.
7. “Wind Takes Roof Off Millmont Covered Bridge.” The Daily Item, 13 Feb. 2009.
8. Blackledge, Karen. “Board asks for help to fix bridges.” The Daily Item, 4 October. 2000, pp. A1-A6.
9. Koone, Rose Ann. “Autumn a time to fall for bridges.” The Daily Item, 30 Sept. 2001, pp. A1-A6.
10. “Millmont Covered Bridge Rehabilitation.” Stahl Sheaffer Engineering.