EAST PIKELAND >> The historic covered bridge on Rapps Dam Road opened Thursday morning, a week ahead of schedule.
PennDOT announced Thursday that the bridge, which was damaged in April 2014 when it was struck by a tractor-trailer, was scheduled to reopen this month but that repairs had finished early. PennDOT’s contractor worked the past two months to repair the bridge over French Creek by restoring the Burr Arch truss, installing new ceiling joists and braces and replacing wooden cross members on the roof.
According to PennDOT, the Rapps Dam Road bridge was the first of three covered bridges in Chester County to be redone under a $3,201,562 bridge improvement project. Construction began in September on the Knox Covered Bridge on Yellow Springs Road in Valley Forge National Historic Park and Tredyffrin Township. The Speakman Covered Bridge on Frog Hollow Road in West Marlborough and East Fallowfield townships will begin in 2016.
While the Knox Covered Bridge and the Speakman Covered Bridge are being covered by 100 percent federal funds, the Rapps Dam Road Bridge is financed with 80 percent federal funds and 20 percent state funds. Since the Rapps Dam Road Bridge had been damaged, PennDOT will seek reimbursement from the responsible trucking company for the cost of repairs.
The bridge underwent a $1.5 million rehabilitation in 2011 and the improvement project included the removal and replacement of the deteriorated cedar shake roof, redwood siding and timber decking. Crews also replaced four steel beams and fixed the structure’s stone abutments and wing walls, PennDOT said.
Motorists can check road conditions at any time by visiting www.511PA.com.
