LDG and Union County Officials Rededicate Historic Covered Bridge
MIFFLINBURG, PA – This week, a rededication and ribbon cutting ceremony was held for Union County Bridge No. 13, the Hassenplug Covered Bridge — one of the oldest covered bridges in America open to the traveling public. Last partially rehabilitated in 1959, design engineer, Larson Design Group, and contractor, Nestlerode Contracting Company, completed the project that addressed the steel bridge deficiencies and included replacing the bridge desk, repairing deteriorated areas of the near abutment, stabilizing the channel, and repaving the bridge approaches.
Prior to this current rehabilitation, the bridge’s structural timbers were original to 1825. By recommendation of the project design and construction team, Union County supported removing the open steel grid deck and steel railing and replacing it with a timber deck similar to the 1825 construction. This significantly reduces long-term maintenance and aesthetically restores the interior to all timber components. The design included replacement of approximately 30% of the original structural timber and Union County Historical Society was given several of the old deteriorated structural timbers for a covered bridge display project.
Representatives from Larson Design Group, Union County, Mifflinburg Borough, Union County Historical Society and the Theodore Burr Covered Bridge Society gathered with local leaders, citizens and guests from as far away as Virginia for the rededication on a sunny afternoon in central Pennsylvania.
The goal of the rehabilitation is to extend the service life of the historically significant covered bridge.
“It is terrific to have the Hassenplug Covered Bridge returned to service in a safe, yet historically accurate manner. This bridge serves as a vital asset to the community and I thank everyone involved in its rehabilitation.” Shared Jeff Reber, Union County Commissioners Chairman.
About LDG
Founded in 1986, LDG is an award-winning, 100 percent employee-owned national architecture, engineering, and consulting firm with 16 offices in seven states and a vision to elevate client relationships, enrich the careers and lives of its employee-owners, and enhance the communities in which it operates.
Our Bridge Design Team offers a range of services in bridge engineering, including design for small to medium span bridge structures; pedestrian, railroad, equestrian, and aqueduct projects; bridge and covered bridge rehabilitations; and bridge bundling projects. For more information, visit Transportation Engineering – Larson Design Group.
