History Meets Contemporary Standards for New Wooddale Bridge

By Brian Donathan, John Terlecki, And Kurt Sensenig

 

December 16, 2008 - It may appear to be a relic with its timber framing, shingled roof, and windows fixed between wood side panels, but do not allow yourself to be deceived by its historic appearance. The soon-to-be completed Wooddale Covered Bridge on Foxhill Lane at Rolling Mill Road is unquestionably new and improved.

Destroyed in 2003 due to flooding from Tropical Storm Henri, construction on the new Wooddale Bridge combines historic aesthetics with modern-day engineering. "We wanted to go with something authentic," said Mike Hahn, from Delaware Historic Preservation Society.

The original Wooddale Covered Bridge was constructed over Red Clay Creek in 1850. Noted as an essential transportation link for Wooddale residents, the bridge also provided access to the nearby Delaware Iron Works. The bridge was an indispensable creek crossing for the mill, which dates as far back as 1814. The bridge is part of the Wooddale Historical District, and is one of only two covered bridges in Delaware.

. . . Significant planning went into the construction of the new covered bridge, ensuring its long-term stability. One major aspect of the construction involved raising the bridge's elevation five feet higher than the original . . . In addition to the higher elevation, the new bridge has additional guards against damage due to flooding . . . "The bridge that is now in place is nearly the same bridge, but it is proportionally bigger to allow for the required vertical clearance of today's trucks," Hastings noted. "It is structurally designed to meet today's highway loads . . . All of the groups involved unanimously wanted to put back a single lane covered bridge that was a replica of the previous bridge . . .

For the story, see: http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20081216/COMMUNITIES1101/81216062/-1/PAGECURL01. The News Journal - Wilmington, DE, USA