Portland- Columbia Pedestrian Bridge
  • Location: Portland, PA. & Columbia, NJ
  • Waterway: Delaware River
  • Bridge Dimensions: length 770'
  • Span length: four equal spans of 91' - 6" each
  • Year: 1839; partially rebuilt in 1957
Bridge Type: continuous through deck steel girder structure

BRIDGE HISTORY

The pier supports are much older than the bridge itself. An earlier bridge was held up by those piers; it was destroyed in the 1955 flood caused by hurricane Diane's great rainfall. Houses, trees and other debris along with the waters destroyed the covered bridge (Burr truss bridge) at this location.

The present Portland-Columbia Pedestrian Bridge is built for foot traffic and is located at the Delaware Water Gap. At right is a view of the Gap as seen looking north from the bridge.

   

BRIDGE STRUCTURES

     
View of original piers which were partially rebuilt in 1957 with the construction of new concrete seats, back walls, and parapets. Note the concrete aprons that have been placed around the three piers ( at the present water line).   Original abutment on the Pennsylvania side of the bridge.
     
The reinforced concrete sidewalk is 8' wide and 5" thick.   Drainage system on the bridge includes a series of open grates.
     
This four span continuous through deck steel girder structure uses 290 tons of steel. The girders are 9' - 6" apart, center to center.   A view of the bridge substructure is shown here.
     
Bridge side walls are constructed using rivets.   Handrails are bolted to the side wall structures as seen above.

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