2009 News

October 22, 2009

Commissioners, Local Community Cut Ribbon On Restored Van Sant Covered Bridge

The Bucks County Commissioners, along with Solebury Township officials and members of the Bucks County Covered Bridge Society, the Vanzandt Society, the Pidcock Creek Watershed Association and Bucks County General Services Division cut the ribbon today on the restored, historic Van Sant covered bridge.

The Van Sant covered bridge, originally built in 1875 and reconstructed in 1955, is one of seven covered bridges owned by the county.

Reconstructive work included: a fire retardant, cedar-shingle roof; repair and replacement of damaged siding; fire-proofing of the sides, outside, inside and bottom of the bridge; wing walls re-pointed with new foundations and new concrete caps; all-structural steel on the underside of the bridge painted; and rip-rap stone placed under the banks of the bridge to prevent erosion of the banks from stream flow.

The covered bridges in Bucks County have been taking a hit, literally, in recent years.  Vandals have set numerous fires, and trucks ignoring the weight and height limits have caused extensive damage.

“We feel it is extremely important to preserve and protect this traditional aspect of Bucks County,” stated Commissioner Chairman Charles Martin, “Covered bridges define, as a national symbol, Bucks County’s rich culture and heritage.”

The Van Sant Bridge is 86-feet long and 16-feet wide, with a weight limit of seven tons. Most of the reconstruction work was completed by the talented masons and bridge crew from the Bucks County General Services Division, which limited repair costs to $73,600.