Dornsife Bridge

Information and Findings From Pennsylvania's Historic Bridge Inventory

Discussion of Bridge

The skewed, one-span, 215'-long, rivet-connected steel Warren thru truss bridge built in 1941 is composed of built-up chords and portal x-bracing, and rolled verticals, diagonals, and upper later bracing. It is supported on concrete abutments with wingwalls. The concrete deck was placed in 1994 with removal of the original decorative metal railings and replacement with concrete parapets to the inside of the truss lines. Original bearings were replaced with pot bearings, the abutment backwalls rebuilt, and deteriorated rivets replaced with high-strength bolts. The bridge is a large but altered and late example of the Warren truss bridge type, developed in the mid-19th century. Rivet-connected Warren trusses were a popular highway bridge type in the early 20th century. Over 100 pre-1957 examples have been identified with many rivet-connected examples dating from the 1890s to 1910s. The bridge is not historically or technologically distinguished by its setting or context.

Discussion of Surrounding Area

The bridge carries a 2 lane highway over a stream in a sparsely developed, rural area with scattered 19th- to late- 20th-century residences. An altered late-19th-century vernacular frame residence with large modern addition is at one corner of the bridge. At one of the opposite corners is a mobile home. The setting does not appear to have historic district potential.

Bridge Considered Historic By Survey: Yes