Cumberland Valley Rail Trail Pedestrian Bridge

The Cumberland Valley Rail Trail Pedestrian Bridge is a bowstring truss bridge that was installed in 2017. This bridge was part of a trail upgrade program which also included construction if a second bridge, trail upgrades, a 0.9-mile train extension in Shippensburg and a 1.5-mile extension in Newville. The eventual goal is to have a 22-mile trail from Downtown Shippensburg, through Newville and to Carlisle. The bridge and associated trail work was funded through grants from the PA Department of Transportation, the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the PA Department of Economic Development, and the Partnership for Better Health (Carlisle).

This 120’ long bridge was fabricated by Cameron Bridge Works, LLC. It was brought to the site in pieces, and was bolted together on site. The assembled bridge was then lifted, rotated, then lowered onto the abutments. However, the bridge was slightly to long to be set down, and the abutment concrete needed to be ground and cut. It took several attempts before the bridge was actually able to be installed. The bridge was formally opened on April 23, 2017, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.