Following a three-year restoration project, the historic Silver Bridge carrying River Road over Pine Creek near Jersey Shore has reopened to traffic.
The bridge closed in 2007 as a result of significant deterioration, Rick Mason, state Department of Transportation spokesman, said.
Before it closed, the bridge was weight-restricted with a 7-ton limit. The rehabilitated truss, a supportive device for the bridge, is capable of carrying legal-sized loads.
In July, prime contractor J. D. Eckman Inc. used several large cranes to maneuver the two rehabilitated truss halves as they were returned to their original places on refurbished abutments.
Construction of the $5.5 million project began in late 2008. The truss was completely disassembled. The restoration included repairs to some structural members or fabrication of replacement sections for members beyond repair. The decorative castings and lattice work that had been removed or damaged over the years were replaced. The bridge was repainted its original silver color. The roadway approaches have been eased to provide better sight distance at each end.
The Silver Bridge originally was made from wrought iron and built in 1890 at a cost of $14,480. Two predecessors built on the site were covered wooden bridges.
