Pennsylvania, Blair County, Duncansville
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From 1834 to 1854 the Portage Railroad passed beneath the Skew Arch Bridge. The original hand hewn stone bridge was built at right angles to the railroad. A right angle turn was arduous for a wagon to negotiate; therefore to make the crossing compatible the bridge was turned, or skewed. This compromise lasted for the twenty years the portage railroad operated.
Compromise! The continued existence of the Skew Arch Bridge is a story in itself. It proves again that new transportation systems can accommodate old even as one is slowly replacing the other.
The roadway of old US Route 22 bends to accommodate the bridge. Engineers of this highway had to change their plans in order to conserve the Skew Arch Bridge. Today’s preferred method of transportation still can make room for preserving our history. Is it always necessary to tear down the old before building the new? Continue up or down the trail to learn of other marvels of the system, and the effect it had on a young nation.
(Bridges & Viaducts • Man-Made Features • Railroads & Streetcars • Roads & Vehicles) Includes location, directions, 4 photos, GPS coordinates, map.
From 1834 to 1854 the Portage Railroad passed beneath the Skew Arch Bridge. The original hand hewn stone bridge was built at right angles to the railroad. A right angle turn was arduous for a wagon to negotiate; therefore to make the crossing compatible the bridge was turned, or skewed. This compromise lasted for the twenty years the portage railroad operated.Compromise! The continued existence of the Skew Arch Bridge is a story in itself. It proves again that new transportation systems can accommodate old even as one is slowly replacing the other.
The roadway of old US Route 22 bends to accommodate the bridge. Engineers of this highway had to change their plans in order to conserve the Skew Arch Bridge. Today’s preferred method of transportation still can make room for preserving our history. Is it always necessary to tear down the old before building the new? Continue up or down the trail to learn of other marvels of the system, and the effect it had on a young nation.
(Bridges & Viaducts • Man-Made Features • Railroads & Streetcars • Roads & Vehicles) Includes location, directions, 4 photos, GPS coordinates, map.
