July 8, 2006

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Copyright 2006, East Rockhill Township, Pennsylvania.  All rights reserved.

Bridge May Be Repaired Soon

By HILARY BENTMAN

Bucks County Courier Times

 

It has been two years since a fire damaged a historic covered bridge in Upper Bucks, and it could be another year before the span is back to its original form.

 

Mood's Covered Bridge, which spans the East Branch of the Perkiomen Creek in East Rockhill, was damaged in June 2004 when six area men intentionally set the 130-year-old structure on fire, destroying the roof.

 

Although the bridge on Blooming Glen Road reopened shortly thereafter, the top has not been restored.

 

But it could be back by spring 2007, said Charles Metzger, spokesman for the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.

 

PennDOT is handling the repairs and is nearing the completion of the design process. Construction will begin late this year or early next year, said Metzger, and last a couple of months.

 

Six Pennridge men — Joseph Boland, Kevin Horoff, Joshua Naso, Benjamin Recenes, Vincent Stout Jr. and Daniel Weidner — pleaded guilty to using newspaper and gasoline to set the bridge on fire.

 

The crime shocked and saddened the community. The bridge was a piece of the region's heritage and the men who committed the crime were college honor students. They spent 18 days in prison for arson and conspiracy and were ordered to do 1,000 hours of community service and pay $66,666 each, representing their share of the $400,000 in restitution. They also face five years of probation.

 

Although the blaze destroyed the bridge's cover, transportation officials quickly reopened it to traffic after the deck was resurfaced and guide rails were erected. The bridge has been repaired several times in its 130-year lifespan.

 

“The bridge is still there,” said Metzger. “The covered part of it is just aesthetics.”

 

To restore the cover will cost about $500,000. Once complete, the bridge will be turned over to Bucks County. East Rockhill will cover the insurance costs.