Ryot Covered Bridge

Bedford County Commissioners Steve Howsare, Dick Rice, and Glenora Faupel held a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on August 24, 2004 for their Ryot Covered Bridge near Pleasantville in West St. Clair Township, Bedford County, Pennsylvania.

The bridge was burned by teenage arsonists who were apprehended.

The County Commissioners immediately committed to restoring the bridge and put it on an accelerated schedule in defiance of the arsonists in a time of national security concerns.

A small portion of the $300,000 price tag has been recouped from the juveniles as retribution.

It underwent a major rehabilitation only 7 years earlier. The new steel beams and reinforced concrete/mortared stone faced abutments were undamaged by the fire. Some of the timber bottom chords and end arch pieces were also salvaged.

The County also lost the McDaniels Bridge to arson in the early 1980's. Efforts are underway to secure funding for its restoration.

Thanks to the Theodore Burr Covered Bridge Society for their continued support.

Click on a picture for a larger view.