Federal Judge Clears Way for Demolition of Historic Skinners Falls Bridge
Radio Chatskill · Various hosts
Audio is streamed directly from the publisher (media.transistor.fm) as published in their RSS feed. Play Podcasts does not host this file. Rights-holders can request removal through the copyright & takedown page.
Show Notes
A federal judge has cleared the path for the demolition of the Skinners Falls Bridge, rejecting a legal effort by Damascus Citizens for Sustainability (DCS) who sought to spare the 122-year-old structure from destruction.
In a ruling issued Tuesday, Judge Karoline Mehalchick of the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania sided with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), citing the bridge’s deteriorating condition as a significant public safety threat.
The historic Baltimore truss bridge, opened in 1902, spans the Delaware River, linking the rural communities of Milanville, PA, and Skinners Falls, NY. It has long served as both a functional crossing and a beloved local landmark — described by Barbara Arrindell, director of DCS, as “poetry in steel.”
PennDOT has concluded that the bridge, closed to vehicular traffic since 2019, is beyond repair. Citing structural instability and a risk to boaters and others navigating beneath it, the agency plans to demolish the bridge using explosives.
DCS argued in court that the government had failed in its duty to maintain the bridge and that it had neglected viable alternatives for rehabilitation. Their lawsuit claimed that federal and state agencies ignored environmental and cultural protections, and that demolition would not only erase a piece of history but also damage the river ecosystem and tourism industry.
Judge Mehalchick initially granted a temporary restraining order on April 9 to halt the demolition, allowing time for a full hearing held on April 11. But in her written decision this week, she concluded that the risks of keeping the bridge in place outweighed the plaintiffs’ concerns.
“Expert testimony supports that the bridge’s seemingly inevitable collapse would endanger life, property, and the environment,” Mehalchick wrote. “Delaying the bridge’s demolition exacerbates these issues, especially considering the busy summer season which will soon bring many visitors to the Delaware River area.”
The judge also noted that PennDOT and its federal partners had invested considerable resources into evaluating the structure and planning the safest course of action.
The timeline for demolition has not been formally announced, though PennDOT officials say preparations are already underway.