Arroyo Bridge

The Arroyo Bridge, located in Elk County, PA, was originally constructed in 1882 by the Arroyo Bridge Company, which consisted of a group of local residents who operated it as a toll bridge until 1899.  Elk County purchased the bridge and replaced it in 1901, when it became the site for many summer social events and dances.

When the bridge exceeded its useful service life and no longer met the current design standards, P. JOSEPH LEHMAN, Inc., Consulting Engineers was hired to provide design services for a new bridge.  Design began in 1992, funding was secured in 1996, and the design approved in 2003.  The bridge was completed in 2004 at a construction cost of $2.3 million.

Because the Clarion River bears a federal Wild and Scenic River designation, the Arroyo Bridge was not designed as a standard concrete structure, but rather as a weathering steel I-beam structure with a concrete deck and open rails to provide views of the river from the bridge.  Piers and abutments are reinforced concrete constructed with form liners and dye to resemble the masonry structure of the previous bridge.  In addition, the colors of the weathering steel and dyed concrete were designed to blend in with the surrounding environment.

Maxwell Run Bridge

Maxwell Run Bridge, also located in Elk County, PA, was originally constructed in 1891.  The small end spans were replaced in 1905.  Efforts to replace the aging structure that no longer met current design standards were initiated in 1992.

P. JOSEPH LEHMAN, Inc., Consulting Engineers was selected to provide design services for the bridge replacement and began initial work in 1992.   Preliminary design and environmental calculations were undertaken in 1998 after funding was secured.  Design approval was secured in 2003.  Maxwell Run Bridge incorporates the same design concepts and materials as those of the Arroyo Bridge.

The bridge was constructed at a cost of approximately $2.1 million.