The Bridge To Nowhere In The Middle Of A Pennsylvania Forest Will Capture Your Imagination
We can all probably agree that we’re so lucky to live in a state that offers so much to do and so many ways to ignite our imagination – from strolling through storybook gardens to losing ourselves among nature on meandering hiking trails. The story of the bridge to nowhere in Pennsylvania has almost become as much of a legend as the views it boasts, especially during the most brilliant days of the fall foliage.
Kinzua Bridge Skywalk, tucked in Kinzua Bridge State Park in Mt. Jewett, draws countless visitors all year around for both its spectacular views and its glass floors.
Before it became a popular tourist and leaf peeping destination, however, the bridge to nowhere played an important part in the railroad industry. Trains, carrying such freight as coal and timber, used the bridge on a daily basis.
The original Kinzua Bridge Viaduct, at the time the highest railroad bridge in the world at 301 feet, debuted in 1882. It carried railroad traffic until 1900.
Due to the increase in the weight of trains, the bridge had to be rebuilt in 1905 – and it took a mere 105 days. It still stood 301 feet above the forest floor and measured 2,053 feet long.
However, it now weighed a massive 6,706,000 pounds, compared to the 3,105,000 pounds of the old bridge. Kinzua Bridge continued its role in carrying trains until 1959 and would eventually welcome “excursion trains.”
Not long after the closure of the bridge to railroad traffic, the land around it officially became Kinzua Bridge State Park.
Those trains were barred from using the bridge in 2002 due to concerns by engineers that the bridge could easily collapse if the conditions were right – and it did.
In the middle of a restoration project, on July 1, 2003, a tornado blew through, destroying much of the bridge, leaving its remains scattered on the forest floor. You can still see them today.
Today, the Kinzua Bridge Skywalk features part of the original bridge and offers sensational views of the surrounding landscape. While it’s picture-perfect year-round, you’ll definitely want to make it a point to visit during the peak of fall foliage.
Have you been to the Kinzua Bridge in Pennsylvania? What did you think? Share your experience in the comments! Pennsylvania is also known for its enchanting covered bridges, a throwback to yesteryear. Van Sant Covered Bridge in New Hope, however, has quite a haunted history.
Address: Kinzua Bridge State Park, 296 Viaduct Rd, Mt Jewett, PA 16740, USA
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