SKINNERS FALLS, NY & MILANVILLE, PA — The upcoming demolition of the historic Skinners Falls Bridge has been delayed, with an 11th-hour legal filing from local advocates persistent in stopping the demolition who seek a work injunction for the bridge. 

Damascus Citizens for Sustainability (DCS), a local non-profit that has taken the lead in advocating for the bridge's survival, and Milanville resident Cynthia Nash filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania on Monday, April 7. 

In the complaint, DCS and Nash claim that the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) improperly used exceptions for emergency situations to avoid accountability and a thorough review of its decision to destroy the bridge. They asked the court to force PennDOT to fulfill its obligations under various historic preservation laws; to cancel a declaration of emergency from Governor Josh Shapiro regarding the bridge; and to issue an injunction against continued work on the bridge. 

In a statement emailed to several news organizations on Wednesday, April 9, PennDOT Community Relations Coordinator Jessica Ruddy said, "The bridge will not be demolished this week as previously planned. The project team is currently working through some legal issues that have arisen in the past few days. Once we receive additional information, we will provide an update."

Barbara Arrindell, DCS Executive Director, told the River Reporter the parties in the case held a conference call the morning of Wednesday, April 9. The Judge said she would decide by the end of day whether to impose a short restraning order, and would hold a hearing on the injunction on Friday morning, April 11, Arrindell said, though she added that hearing date was "floated," and not necessarily definite. 

Shows of support

The lawsuit comes against the backdrop of sustained community efforts to keep the Skinners Falls Bridge from destruction. 

Nash and fellow Milanville resident Rose Biondi traveled to Harrisburg on Tuesday, April 8 in an attempt to speak with Governor Shapiro and to make the case for the Skinners Falls Bridge. The trip follows up on one made by Nash 

Biondi started a Go-Fund-Me campaign early in April, raising money for DCS' legal fees as it attempted to stop the demolition. "This will give us time to pursue viable alternatives, including non-destructive stabilization and rehabilitation — saving the bridge for generations to come," wrote Biondi. 

As of Wednesday, April 9, the campaign has raised $5,285 of a $50,000 goal. 

In March, Milanville resident Sheila Dugan protested the bridge's destruction by crossing work-zone markings on the bridge's Pennsylvania side. On March 21, the third consecutive day of her protest, she was arrested by the Pennsylvania State Police and charged with criminal trespass and disorderly conduct before being released. 

The local community has also come together to create art around the Skinners Falls Bridge, including a photography portrait series on Saturday, March 22, an art exhibit at the Zane Grey Plein Air Gallery running through May 31 and a music video titled 'Isn't It Worth Saving' to be organized by DCS.

Editor's note: Cynthia Nash has previously contributed non-news writing to the River Reporter. The River Reporter is committed to unbiased, factually accurate and objective reporting, and Nash's contributions to the paper did not affect the paper's coverage of this issue.