Earlier this year, Penn-DOT began the process of renovating and rehabilitating the historic Trexler Bridge or Creek Road Bridge, Albany Township.

Damage to the bridge was sustained during a windstorm when a large sycamore along Ontelaunee Creek fell on the south-facing wall.

Although the damage appeared minimal, the state had already slated the bridge for a restoration project.

Pennsylvania performed an inventory in 2000 of all bridges over 50 years of age that spanned 20 feet or wider to determine qualifying bridges.

The Historic Trexler Bridge (Creek Road bridge) was on the National Register of Historic Bridges since 1988, and was eligible for preservation.

In 2008, temporary turnbuckles (braces that expand and contract to keep a structure intact) were placed on the exterior of the walls.

Sean Brown, PennDOT spokesperson, told The Press the precipitating event was not the windstorm damage.

“While nine years seems like a long time to fix a bridge, there’s so much work that goes on behind the scenes,” Brown said.

He said construction on the bridge after the windstorm damage was just a coincidence.

“The design meetings, the planning, the permits, involving the other necessary state departments, like DEP take quite a bit of time,” Brown stated.

He added construction crews must be aware of fish or wildlife that need to be protected or protection at a specific time of year.

“There’s so much you don’t see,” he said.

For Kris Thompson, PennDOT’s Cultural resource specialist, this bridge is special.

“It was one of my first projects after joining PennDOT,” she said.

Thompson is the person the state calls upon to make sure the integrity of the historic structure is intact.

“Not much was changed with this bridge,” she said. “The most notable is the height increase to the parapet walls, They are now taller - 3 feet 6 inches for safety reasons.”

Most of the original stones were kept.

“And these original stones may have come from a local quarry or even from the stones along the creek,” Thompson said.

Not too much is known about the builder of the bridge, only that it was constructed in 1841.

Bob Herr, of J.D. Eckman, superintendent of the site, said the project is on track and expects to open on time.

The crew has been working long hours - on weekends, too, in order to complete it on schedule.

Herr said the Trexler

Bridge is a waterway over a trout stream, which limits how and when the crew can work on the pylons.

“We have to divert the water in a way that doesn’t harm the environment,” Herr said.

“The bridge will get a membrane over the concrete decking and then paved over,” Herr said. “This membrane will protect it from the road crew salt usage during the winter. Salt usage often breakdown the components of bridge and over time can actually destroy it.”

The finish date is expected to be Nov. 15. The estimated cost of the work is $1,071,490.

Once the bridge is open, its open for foot and vehicular traffic.

There will be no weight restrictions and the bridge will under go inspection every two years.

No information is available at this point as to whether a ribbon-cutting ceremony may be in the works.

“This is the best ending for this bridge - a happy ending,” she said.

She’s been on site quite a few times and noted local authorities and history buffs have been a pleasure to work with.

“It’s always the best ending for an historic bridge to be preserved, rehabilitated and saved,” Thompson said.

Brown said to save a bridge in one’s area is to speak up.

“One of the best things you can do to preserve a local bridge is to get in contact with the local municipalities or even contact the state,” Brown said. “Your bridge may already be on the list of restoration projects.”