Pine Grove Forge Covered Bridge Damaged

WGN 38-15-22#3/38-36-41#3

 

Little Britain Township, PA, March 10, 2010 - The historic covered bridge connecting Chester and Lancaster counties over Octoraro Creek was struck by an alleged hit and run driver of a boxtruck, Edwin R. Figueroa, 44, of New Tripoli. He has been charged.

The box truck struck and cracked the tie beam on the south side of the bridge, and continuing through the bridge, broke more beams.

The bridge is open to traffic and damage was minimal, said a spokesman for the state Department of Transportation. The 1884 bridge is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as part of a Thematic Resource nomination of Covered Bridges of Lancaster County. The state spent $3.7 million for a major rehabilitation of the bridge in 2008.

Also known as the Little Britain Bridge, the 200-foot span on two piers was built in 1884 using the Burr Arch truss.