Nebraska disappearing bridge

Tionesta. Pennsylvania

This quirky bridge intrigued me the moment I learned of it.

Built in 1933, the Nebraska Bridge took its name from the small lumber community of Nebraska that it served. Tionesta Creek flows freely to the Allegheny River. The waterway swelled and shrank some with seasonal rains and snowmelt. The bridge sat high enough to provide regular access across the creek most of the time. Unfortunately, many communities downriver weren’t so fortunate, and intermittent flooding created recurring problems as development increased along the Allegheny’s banks.

The 187-foot-long structure over Tionesta Creek functions like many other truss bridges in western Pennsylvania, and its everyday appearance doesn’t indicate anything unusual about its existence. It’s a completely ordinary bridge with one exception: For at least a few weeks each year, it’s underwater. And has become known as the disappearing bridge.

Located on a single-lane country road, one might come upon raging water in heavy rain and snow melt seasons in spring. At the time of my visit, a few feet were between the water and the base of the bridge. (I was blessed and able to drive across the disappearing bridge.)

I also noted heavy concrete blocks on the sides of the bridge, which leads me to assume these are there for safety reasons.

The area was peacefully idyllic, and my mind slipped to thoughts of drifting along the creek in the smooth flow of the waters. And a trout might have been calling to me.

The above photograph shows the boat launch that enables other like-minded people to enjoy the waterway. I truly wished I had a canoe or kayak with me when I stopped.

LINKS:

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/nebraska-bridge