Following the partial collapse of the Kise Mill Road Bridge, STV worked on an accelerated basis to repair the historic span a year ahead of schedule. Built in 1915, the stone masonry, camelback style bridge carries SR 4016 across Bennett Run in Newberry Township. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the bridge is located within a state rural historic district that includes the remains of a former grist and logging mill. It was vital to maintain the historic significance and character of the bridge while applying modern construction methods and safety standards.

To guard against future water infiltration that had caused a section of the bridge’s spandrel wall to collapse, the design called for using modern waterproofing materials and drainage systems. At the same time, our team meticulously focused on preserving the bridge’s historic integrity by keeping the historic features of the bridge, reusing all of the original stone, sourcing additional stone from a nearby farmer’s wall, and working to precisely match the color and composition of the mortar used across the entire structure.

The thoroughness of the design not only met the state’s strict historic standards and the acceptance of adjacent property owners, but also enabled PennDOT to complete the project on time and on budget.