Threatened truss bridge continues to connect people during coronavirus

YORK, Pa. — A neighborhood preservation group hopes to see its effort go forward to save a historic bridge now that both Cumberland and York counties have entered the "green phase" of reopening.

Friends of Sheepford Road Bridge received a grant check for $300 from the Cumberland County Historical Society on Tuesday, using the closed 1887 wrought and cast-iron truss bridge as a backdrop for the news event in Fairview Township.

The group hopes to spread the word that the future of the northern York County bridge still is uncertain. The grant will be used for a banner and other materials to build awareness.

Yard signs advocating bridge preservation already can be seen throughout the area.

The bridge crosses Yellow Breeches Creek in a tranquil, wooded setting bordering Yellow Breeches Park. The landscape hasn't changed much in its 133-year existence, but the bridge has seen better days.

"Even in its rusty, decaying condition, to us, it's truly a beautiful work," said Janice Lynx, organizer of the grass-roots group that wants to preserve the ornate engineering marvel that was designed for vehicles pulled by horses.

Officials closed the bridge in January after an inspection showed that the span is unsafe. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation listed the bridge for sale, and whoever buys it would be responsible for the cost of its relocation, rehabilitation and long-term maintenance.

"We are paused because of the pandemic. Just like a lot of people, we suddenly had the rug pulled out from under us," Lynx said of the group's preservation efforts so far this year.

The group hopes to learn soon what the options are for the bridge now that York and Cumberland counties have entered the "green" phase.

Lynx said some possibilities include complete removal, keeping it as a pedestrian bridge or redesigning the approaches so that only small vehicles can cross.

She said the quarantine has shown the value of the bridge as a peaceful focal point of beauty in the community.

"The people in the community during this pandemic have been coming down here as a destination — walking, jogging, bicycling on a regular basis and visiting the bridge. ... To the community it's part of us," she said.

For more information about the bridge preservation project, go to savesheepfordroadbridge.org.