History and Future of the Milanville Bridge at Skinners Falls

tomrue 18 April 2024

The historic Skinners Falls/Milanville Bridge

This vital interstate bridge, linking New York and Pennsylvania since 1902 is historic in part due to its association with an important spot on the Upper Delaware and with the early rafting industry that shaped the region's economy.

Unfortunately, this bridge has been closed to all users, including bicycles and pedestrians, since 2019 while the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) slow-boated plans for this "outstandingly remarkable" structure's restoration, followed by plans to dissemble and reconstruct it in place. Currently, PennDOT is threatening to blow it up, despite a strong community will against the bridge's unnecessary destruction.

Near the famous Skinners Falls rapids, it spans the Upper Delaware River from Milanville, Damascus Township, Wayne County, Pennsylvania, to Skinner’s Falls, Sullivan County, New York. To construct a two-span bridge of steel construction, the Milanville Bridge Company incorporated on May 8, 1901, with supplemental act of May 26, 1903. It was from this place that the first raft was started down the Delaware in 1764 by Daniel Skinner, after which he was called “Lord High Admiral of the Delaware,” a title he retained until his death in 1813.

A descendant, Milton L. Skinner, was one of the founders of the bridge company and himself had been a steersman, considered one of the hardest jobs in the rafting business was a member of the Delaware Lodge #561, Free & Accepted Masons. The bridge was purchased by the Joint Commission on April 13, 1923, at a price of $19,542.21. Later that year, a hearing was held in Honesdale on September 10, 1923 "in the matter of dissolving the Milanville Bridge Company" (Tribune, 7/26/1923).

The bridge is architecturally rare. “The pin-connected Baltimore through truss design is historically and technologically significant, earning a November 14, 1988 designation to the National Register of Historic Places as one of only three such truss types among 135 highway bridges owned by PennDOT that had not been demolished as of 2019” (UDC, 3/23/2021).

"The Milanville Bridge - From 1901 to 2017", a full-color booklet shown above at right, by the late Milanville conservationist and local historian Ed Wesely, can be downloaded as a PDF by clicking on the cover image at right. The line art at left is from a set of note-cards created in 1986 by Barbara Yeaman.

According to PennDOT's "Skinners Falls Bridge Project Purpose and Need Statement" (2022): "The NPS considers this bridge a contributing element to the Cultural Outstandingly Remarkable Value for the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River. Coordination with consulting parties, the State Historic Preservation Offices, and NPS will occur throughout the project development process." (See the NPS explanation of this, "Fact Sheet: Outstandingly Remarkable Values".)

In December 2024, PennDOT announced the idea of demolishing this one using explosive charges. For updates on legal efforts to hold PennDOT accountable for its abject failure to protect the traveling public from the bridge's decay, and on the preservation of an historic landmark that distinguishes the Upper Delaware Scenic & Recreational River, visit the website of Damascus Citizens for Sustainability and support that organization's excellent work.

Currently, the National Park Service alerts river recreationists to avoid traveling under and around the bridge "due to work PennDOT is doing on the bridge". Starting upriver, as suggested in the alert (below), or portaging around the bridge, are safe and viable options.

The future of this historic bridge

The feasibility of restoration of the Milanville / Skinners Falls Bridge depends on several factors:

Key Factors Influencing Restoration

1. Structural Integrity:

The bridge, completed in 1902, is a multi-span steel truss structure that PennDOT's neglect has allowed to deteriorate over time.
Engineers have assessed that the bridge’s foundational elements (e.g., piers and trusses) are stable enough for restoration or if rebuilding them may be more practical. This is shown in PennDOT's inspection reports up until November 2024, as reviewed by Damascus Citizens for Sustainability in its letter dated January 2, 2025, as documented before PennDOT suddenly took a polar opposite position in December by calling for the bridge to be destroyed by dropping it into the river using explosive charges.

2. Historic Significance:

The bridge is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which encourages preservation over replacement. This status should attract funding and support for restoration but could impose some restrictions on how the work is carried out.

3. Cost of Restoration vs. Replacement:

Restoration of an historic structure is often more expensive than building a new bridge. Federal and state grants, as well as the possible private funding for historic preservation may offset the cost. See below under "Funding and Stakeholder Agreement".
A new bridge might be more cost-effective and durable but would sacrifice the historical character.
These impacts have been thoroughly studied by PennDOT over the years that they have closed the bridge to traffic, with multiple options presented as viable up until the point when agency's position suddenly and inexplicably changed in favor of demolition.

4. Community and Environmental Impact:

Many residents and stakeholders value the bridge as a cultural and historical landmark.
Restoration would likely minimize environmental disruption compared to constructing a new bridge.
These impacts have been thoroughly studied by PennDOT over the years that they have closed the bridge to traffic. See the "Skinners Falls Bridge Project Purpose and Need Statement" published by PennDOT (2022).

5. Traffic and Functional Needs:

The bridge is a single-lane span, limiting its functionality for modern transportation needs. It does not need to carry loads heavier than it historically has. It might even serve community needs as well with a lower weight limit.
Restoration must address safety and load capacity without compromising historical integrity.

6. Funding and Stakeholder Agreement:

Collaboration between the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT), as well as Federal and local governments, and community members is essential.
Funding sources could include state, federal, and private grants, but consensus is crucial to move forward.
State and federal agencies must weigh the outstandingly remarkable value of this bridge against available resources. For discussion of state-level resources under Pennsylvania's guidelines, see PennDOT's "Historic Metal Truss Bridge Capital Rehabilitation Program" eligibility guidelines, and "A New Funding Source for Metal Truss Bridges" posted by the Pennsylvania Historic Preservation Office. Federal funding for rehabilitation should also be sought from the Federal Highway Administration and US Department of Interior. Examples of possible private funding sources that should be explored include such sources as the National Trust for Historic Preservation, private entities such as the 1772 Foundation, local community foundations, and seeking additional guidance from the Historic Bridge Foundation (this page listed the Skinners Falls Bridge in a January 15, 2025 post).

7. Potential Path Forward

Preservation: Local groups advocating for the bridge’s restoration argue that it should be preserved for its historical and cultural significance. Not only is it listed on the National Register of Historic Places, but the bridge is federally protected by P.L. 90-542 and P.L. 95-625 (the two laws which together designated the Upper Delaware Scenic & Recreational River) for the bridge's "outstandingly remarkable value" (see the NPS explanation of this, "Fact Sheet: Outstandingly Remarkable Values".)
Renovation: Methods suggested by PennDOT itself in the past, specifically addressed repairing a crack in the New York abutment of the bridge, which state inspectors first observed in 1991 and have been monitoring since that time. Inspectors recorded "No Change" on inspection reports until 2024. In 1991, measures that PennDOT proposed to address the abutment crack included "casting a new wall in front of the existing one or jacking the bridge."
Public will: In response to strong public will, a way must be found to fix this bridge. See "Best Practices for the Rehabilitation and Moving of Historic Metal Truss Bridges", Virginia Department of Transportation, June 2006; as well as PennDOT's own "Historic Truss Bridge Management Plan" and "Truss Maintenance Manual" for discussion of safe and effective methods of preservation.

Best Practices for the Rehabilitation and Moving of Historic Metal Truss Bridges

A few of the many published accounts concerning the Skinners Falls Bridge

River community honors Skinners Falls Bridge not with a farewell, but a rallying cry, WVIA Radio, by Isabela Weiss, January 14, 2025

Tribute to and Memories of Ed Wesely at A Celebration of the Milanville Bridge, by Tom Rue, January 12, 2025

A Celebration of the Skinners Falls Bridge, produced by Cynthia Nash and hosted by Kathy Geary, FACEBOOK LIVE feed, January 12, 2025

PennDOT Defends Decision to Demolish Skinners Falls Bridge, by Tim Bruno, WJFF Radio, January 9, 2025

Community Celebration and Concern for Endangered Skinners Falls Bridge, by Tim Bruno, WJFF Radio, January 8, 2025

Celebration of Skinners Falls Bridge Moves to the Narrowsburg Union, Upper Delaware Council, January 6, 2025

PA citizens group opposes plan to demolish bridge connecting to NY, by Hank Gross, Mid-Hudson News, January 6, 2025

Skinners Falls Bridge to be permanently destroyed, by Vincent Kurzrock, Sullivan County Democrat, December 24, 2024

Public vexed by PennDOT's plan to demolish Skinners Falls Bridge after 6 years of closure, by Peter Becker, USA Today, December 24, 2024

Letter to the Editor: Skinnners Falls Bridge - PennDOT’s Neglect and Its Impact on Our Communities, by Tom Rue, December 19, 2024

Skinners Falls Bridge is “actively failing” and needs to be demolished, potentially with explosives, officials say, by Chris Mele, Delaware Currents, December 19, 2024

Skinners Falls Bridge Set for Demolition amid Safety Concerns, Wayne-Pike News, December 19, 2024

Skinners Falls Surprise: PennDOT Announces Demolition of Historic Bridge, by Tim Bruno, WJFF Radio, December 18, 2024

PennDOT plans to destroy Skinners Falls Bridge with explosive charges, by Liam Mayo, The River Reporter, December 17, 2024

PennDOT: Demolition is only option for rapidly failing Skinners Falls Bridge, by Peter Becker, USA Today, December 17, 2024

Letter signed by Governor Josh Shapiro, ill informed by the advice of PennDOT administrators, December 14, 2024

Skinners, stalled, by Liam Mayo, The River Reporter, December 11, 2024

Skinners Falls Bridge will be removed by crane, disassembled, by Peter Becker, Tri-County Independent, November 28, 2024

Dismantling leaves restoration on the table for Skinners Falls Bridge, by Liam Mayo, The River Reporter, November 27, 2024

Skinners Falls Bridge is falling apart. Now it will be taken apart, by Chris Mele, Delaware Currents, November 21, 2024

Skinners Falls Bridge to be Dismantled; Public Meeting Scheduled, by Tim Bruno, WJFF Radio, November 12, 2024

Dismantled, not destroyed: Skinners Falls Bridge at risk of 'temporary' teardown, by Liam Mayo, The River Reporter, November 8, 2024

Skinners Falls Bridge to be dismantled, by Vincent Kuzrock, Sullivan County Democrat, November 12, 2024

Inspection Report, redacted, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), October 11, 2024

Dismantled, not destroyed: Skinners Falls Bridge at risk of 'temporary' teardown, by Liam Mayo, The River Reporter, October 8, 2024

Discussing Skinners Falls Bridge restoration: Work on historic bridge to be topic at UDUUF open mic, The River Reporter, July 2, 2024

PennDOT Explains Unconventional Skinners Falls Bridge Meeting, Next Steps, by Tim Bruno, WJFF Radio, May 8, 2024

Concerned Citizens Create Art to Preserve Skinners Falls Bridge, by Tim Bruno, WJFF Radio, May 21, 2024

Preserve history, say Skinners bridge advocates: Public comment period ends May 26, by Pamela Chergotis, The River Reporter, May 2, 2024

Preserve history, say Skinners bridge advocates, by Pamela Chergotis, The River Reporter, April 29, 2024

Protesting residents to PennDOT: “Whose bridge? Our bridge!”, by Isabela Weiss, WVIA News, Report for America, April 26, 2024

Residents get the skinny on the Skinners Falls Bridge, by Chris Mele, Delaware Current, April 26, 2024

Report: What is to become of the historic Skinners Falls Bridge?, by Cloey Callahan, Delaware Currents, July 31, 2023

Can Skinners be saved? Report on bridge says yes, assessment process continues, by Liam Mayo, The River Reporter, June 14, 2023

How WE can help save and rehab the Skinners Falls-Milanville bridge by Barbara Arrindell, The River Reporter, June 20, 2023

Historic Bridge Rehabilitation Analysis Phase 1 SR 1002 (Skinners Falls Road) over Delaware River, PennDOT/AECOM, May 2023 [Note In this historic bridge rehabilitation analysis, which is also on the Project's web page, PennDOT and AECOM describe the bridge as absolutely repairable and presented a number of alternative options. This report was paid for to AECOM with millions of dollars in public funds and involving countless hours of stakeholders' time and comments.]

Is it the end for an ‘utterly spectacular’ Pa. bridge? The Skinners Falls Bridge, which spans the Delaware River, has been closed since 2019 in Wayne County, Pa., Philadelphia Inquirer, August 2, 2022

Studying Skinners Falls, by Liam Mayo, The River Reporter, July 5, 2022

The public is talking, but who's listening?, by Liam Mayo, The River Reporter, January 6, 2022

The Fight to Save a Small-Town Bridge: Reflections on Infrastructure, Placemaking, and Community Engagement, by Ruby Brinkerhoff, Carolina Planning Journal, Historic Preservation Archives, University of North Carolina, July 9, 2021

Not in my front yard - Property owner weighs in on bridge project, by Owen Walsh, The River Reporter, May 5, 2021

UDC Supports Rehabilitation of Historic Skinners Falls Bridge, Upper Delaware Council, April 23, 2021

Exploring and restoring a river crossing, editorial by Laurie Stuart, The River Reporter, April 14, 2021

Interview with conservationist Ed Wesley, by Rosie Starr, WJFF Farm & Country, Damascus Citizens for Sustainability, April 8, 2021

Future of Skinners Falls Bridge up in the air, by Isabel Braverman, Sullivan County Democrat, April 8, 2021

NY-PA Joint Interstate Bridge Commission Will Study Fate of Skinners Falls-Milanville Bridge, by Laurie Ramie, Upper Delaware Council, October 16, 2020

The extraordinary Milanville Bridge, by Ed Wesely, The River Reporter, May 23, 2018

A bridge for Milanville: The story of the Skinners Falls bridge, by Ed Wesely, The River Reporter, originally published in 2017

Pennsylvania Historic Survey nominating the Skinners Falls Bridge to the National Register of Historic Sites, March 10, 2001

Bridge closed for inspection, Scranton Tribune, 11/9/1999

Repairs planned for walks on bridge, Scranton Times, by Bob Tomaine, May 28, 1994 (Excerpt: "PennDOT... will continue to monitor a crack in an abutment on the Skinners Falls Bridge...")

PennDOT trying to quiet bridge, Scranton Times-Tribune, by Bob Tomaine, May 27, 1994

PennDOT working on bridge problem, Scranton Tribune, by Bob Tomaine, May 27, 1994

Marker to be remounted on bridge, The River Reporter, by Tom Rue, June 4, 1992

PennDOT will monitor crack in bridge over Delaware River, Scranton Tribune, May 9, 1991

PennDOT will monitor crack in bridge, Scranton Tribune, by Bob Tomaine, May 9, 1991

Crack in Skinners Falls Milanville Bridge monitored, Scranton Tribune, by Bob Tomaine, May 9, 1991

State's share of bridge funding received, Scranton Times, by Bob Tomaine, May 9, 1991

Repairs to bridge over Delaware cost $1.2 million, by Bob Tomaine, Scranton Times, May 9, 1991

Skinners Falls bridge closed - Details of new repair plan, The River Reporter, by Tom Rue May 7, 1987

Milanville Bridge closed again, The River Reporter, by Tom Rue, April 30, 1987

Bridge open! [photo], The River Reporter, November 6, 1986

Milanville Bridge to reopen, The River Reporter, by Tom Rue, October 30, 1986

Bridge pins removed - Repairs to historic bridge, The River Reporter, by Tom Rue, September 4, 1986

Milanville Bridge progresses [photo], The River Reporter, by Tom Rue, August 28, 1986

Keep off bridge - "no trespassing" on Milanville Bridge, The River Reporter, by Tom Rue, August 7, 1986

Bridge out, The River Reporter, The River Reporter, by Tom Rue, July 24, 1986

Hangin' out [photo], The River Reporter, by Tom Rue, July 10, 1986

Problems plague workers at Milanville Bridge, The River Reporter, by Tom Rue, June 19, 1986

Skinners Falls bridge closing for repairs, The River Reporter, by Tom Rue, May 29, 1986

Bridge repairs in June, The River Reporter, by Tom Rue, May 15, 1986

Open bridge in summer - COUP asks for reschedule, The River Reporter, February 6, 1986

Don't sever the artery (Editorial), The River Reporter, by Tom Rue, February 6, 1986

Skinners Falls bridge to close for repair, The River Reporter, by Ed Wesely, January 30, 1986

Group claims five bridges have deficiencies, Scranton Times, by Jerry Makarevich, February 12, 1981

Milton L. Skinner, 89, River Raftsman, Dies, Middletown News Herald, December 21, 1936

Historical Society makes pilgrimage to Wayne County, Scranton Tribune, July 26, 1932

Many court cases, Scranton Tribune, July 26, 1923 [Excerpt: "In the matter of dissolution of the Milanville Bridge Company, hearing fixed for September 10."]

Milanville Bridge goes on free list, Carbondale News, April 28, 1923

Seek to Buy All Toll Bridges, Pike-County-Dispatch, March 9, 1911

A Letter from Candidate Fuerth upon the "Free Bridge" Question, Wayne County Herald, October 8, 1906

Milanville Bridge gone, Pike County Dispatch, March 31, 1904

Milanville [notes], Wayne County Herald, April 16, 1903 [Excerpt: "All this proves that the handsome bridge across the Delaware, erected last year, must in the near future pay fair dividends. In the building of our bridge we met with better opposition from a neighboring town but thank to the energetic measures taken by those in this vicinity a charter was secured and a fine bridge erected in 1902. Much credit is due to the efficient management of the president of the Milanville Bridge Co., M.L. Skinner."

Abutment Letting, Wayne County Herald, August 28, 1902 [Excerpt: "The building of the abutments for the Milanville bridge, Damascus township, near grist mill, will be let to the lowest and best bidder at above plan on Monday August 25, 1902..."]

Governor Stone affixes his signature to a Number of Measures, The Gazette, May 9, 1901 [Excerpt: "Incorporating the Milanville Bridge Company, Wayne County.]