Historic Steel Truss Bridge Rehabilitated, Placed Back In Service

For 146 years the Messerall Truss Bridge stood over Pine Creek in Oil Creek Township, but had been closed since 1987. The truss bridge was removed, refurbished, reassembled, and relocated. In its new location, the bridge now carries the multi-use trail over the Linesville Creek.

One of the ‘Few Surviving’ Bowstring Truss Bridges

The metal bowstring through truss bridge, which once carried Messerall Road over Pine Creek, was constructed in 1876 – it was closed for over 35 years.

The bridge originally carried pedestrians and horses to local oil fields. It later served as a single lane crossing for passenger vehicles.

The truss bridge became historically significant as one of the few surviving bowstring truss bridges in the state and the only one west of the Susquehanna River.

For 146 years the Messerall Truss Bridge stood over Pine Creek in Oil Creek Township, Pennsylvania.

Quality Bridge & Fab Fabricates Steel for Historic Structure

In 2021, the bridge was hoisted by crane and removed from its abutments in one piece.

It was partially dismantled at a nearby landing area and then taken to a metal workshop to be rehabilitated.

The bridge was partially reassembled at the shop, using as many of the refurbished original parts as possible then moved to Pymatuning State Park in late August 2022. Prior to reassembly, the structure was sandblasted and repainted with a 3 coat system (Zinc, Epoxy, Urethane).

SSSBA member Quality Bridge & Fab, Inc. (West Middlesex, PA) fabricated the steel for the structure.

Download the full project plans.

Rehabilitated Bridge Benefits Community

The bridge was fit with a new wooden deck and rails to carry pedestrians and cyclists over Linesville Creek.

The overall project increased the length of the pathway from just over one mile to more than three miles long, resulting in safe access to park visitor centers, schools, and the borough, and a connection with the Route 6 and Bicycle PA Route Y.