1896: (Archived Bridge Hunter)
1930: (Archived Bridge Hunter; Historic Bridges; HAER; Satellite, 726 photos)US-30 has been rerouted over the Wrights Ferry Bridge, which is a little upstream from here. This bridge is now called the Veterans Memorial Bridge and carries PA-462.
Historic Bridges rates the historical significance of this bridge as 10+10. "The bridge was the longest multi-span concrete arch bridge in the world when built, and even today it at the very least remains among the longest examples. In addition to its jaw-dropping 28 arch spans each spanning an impressive 185 feet, an additional 20 approach spans (mostly curved t-beams) complete the bridge which is over a mile long in total length....As of 2022, this bridge is slated for a major rehabilitation." [HistoricBridges]
"Significance: When it was dedicated on Armistice Day, 1930, the ColumbiaWrightsville Bridge was the longest multiple-arch concrete bridge
in the world. Twenty-eight three-ribbed open-spandrel reinforced
concrete arches, each spanning 185'-0", carry the bridge across the
Susquehanna between Lancaster and York counties. Another
twenty spans make up the bridge's 6657'-0" total length. The
span's construction was innovative because it involved the
cooperative effort oftwo counties. Four bridges preceded this span
at this historically important river crossing. The ColumbiaWrightsville Bridge was designated a National Historic Civil
Engineering Landmark in 1984, and was listed in the National
Register of Historic Places in 1988." [HAER_data]
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| HAER PA,36-COL,1--14 (CT) 3/4 VIEW FROM SOUTHWEST. - Columbia-Wrightsville Bridge, Spanning Susquehanna River at Lincoln Highway (State Route 462), Columbia, Lancaster County, PA |
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| Bob Dover posted Almost unknown except to locals, no longer carrying a major highway, not located near any big city or major tourist sites, the Columbia-Wrightsville Bridge in Pennsylvania is a hidden gem. The bridge crosses the Susquehanna River between York and Lancaster, Pennsylvania, approximately 50 miles west of Philadelphia and 50 miles north of Baltimore. The current bridge was opened in 1930, and it is the fifth generation bridge at what is one of the most important and eventful river crossings in the early United States. In 1863, the second bridge at this location was the focus of one of the most consequential events in United States history. In trying to reach Harrisburg in 1863, the Confederate Army needed to cross the Susquehanna River, which is one of the widest rivers in the eastern United States. While the full Army was moving eastward into Gettysburg, detachments were sent further forward to secure the Columbia-Wrightsville Bridge. These detachments cut the Northern Central Railway line at Hanover Junction 30 miles east of Gettysburg, captured the town of York, and then on June 28, 1863, reached the shore of the Susquehanna an additional 13 miles further east at Wrightsville. They were too late. The wooden bridge was burned by Union troops, foiling the Confederate advance, and giving the Union’s Army of the Potomac time to reach Gettysburg and begin the battle three days later. If the Confederate Army had succeeded in capturing the bridge, they likely would have continued on to Harrisburg and threatened Philadelphia, possibly resulting in a different outcome of the Civil War. |
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| Street View, Aug 2022 |
This exposure more clearly shows the piers of a former bridge.
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| Street View, Nov 2021 |
I presume the now abandoned piers held this bridge.
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| Wikipedia, Public Domain |
"Built in 30 days in 1896 to be "temporary" replacement for destroyed covered bridge, with intent of road being added to upper level; neither replacement nor upper deck ever built. Removed 1964" [BridgeHunter_1896]
We can see both bridges when they dedicated the new one.
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| dedication, p19, cropped |
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| dedication, p24 |
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| dedication, p25 |
A history of the previous bridges starts on p29 of dedication and construction starts on p40.
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