POND EDDY, PA — The years-long effort by some historic preservation activists to saver the historic Pond Eddy Bridge came to a dramatic end on November 6, as workers toppled half of the old bridge into the Upper Delaware River. A video of the bridge actually toppling is available online (tinyurl.com/ycog7n9w) at the Lumberland Fire Department Facebook page.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation has announced that the demolition of the bridge will continue through November 16. On November 12, crews will remove the remaining half of the bridge on the New York side of the river. This will result in a temporary closure of the waterway to river traffic.

According to a PennDot press release, during the operation, “The bridge on the New York side of the river will be removed from the existing substructures and lowered partially into the Delaware River, then disassembled and removed. This phase of demolition is expected to require up to one week for completion. At this time, the river will be completely blocked by the rock causeway on the Pennsylvania side and the bridge structure on the New York side of the river. Therefore, the Delaware River—from approximately one-quarter mile upstream of the bridge to one-quarter mile downstream from the bridge—will be closed to the public the week of November 12, 2018.

“Warning and lifesaving boats will be physically stationed on the river upstream and downstream of the Pond Eddy Bridge all week to ensure no boaters enter the construction area.”