Bridge work completed
By ROBERT LINNEHAN
The Cherry Hill Sun
9/4/2009

The township wrapped up an extensive restoration project recently at the historic Scarborough Covered Bridge, capping off a $115,000 venture to ensure the bridge remains intact for another several decades.

Communications Director Dan Keashen said the historic bridge and Covered Bridge Road leading up to the structure were due for some extensive repairs this year. Steve Musilli, director of public works for the township, said the bridge itself last had some extensive structural repairs in 1980.

“All of the work was completed in about six weeks. From the archives I found, in 1980 there were some other structural improvements done to the bridge,” Musilli said. “It didn’t detail what happened exactly, but there was work done in 1980. We’ll continue to monitor and maintain the bridge to protect its longevity.”

Of the $115,000 in funding needed for the project, Musilli said the public works department received $90,000 in discretionary aid from the state’s department of transportation. The remaining $25,000 were municipal funds.

The bridge was structurally sound, Musilli said, but some repairs were needed to ensure the historic bridge wouldn’t suffer extensive damage. A number of boards throughout the bridge were damaged through the year, Musilli said, which needed to be replaced. The department also completed extensive infrastructure repairs under the bridge itself.

Steel girders were repaired and sand blasted, he said, and a number of fascia boards were replaced throughout the bridge. Finally the historic bridge was painted, Musilli said, and a few deteriorated 2X4’s were replaced as well.

It was an extensive project, Keashen said, but one high up on the list of priorities for the township. The roadway leading up to the bridge, aptly named Covered Bridge Road, just went through a first phase of repairs to resurface the roadway leading from Route 70 to Beaverbrook Road.

Musilli said the DOT also awarded the township $220,000 in discretionary aid for the first phase of the road project. Phase two, which would see the resurfacing of the road from Beaverbrook to Forge Road, will likely take place in the summer of 2010.

The township council has applied for another grant for discretionary aid for phase two of the resurfacing project, Musilli said.

“Maintenance will continue on this bridge for another 50 years. It’s an iconic structure in Cherry Hill and throughout the region. We want it to stay structurally sound and continue to be that important icon for the township,” Keashen said. “We need to preserve the history that the bridge represents and to make sure it remains a symbol of the vibrancy of Barclay Farms.”

Scarborough Covered Bridge was built in 1959 and designed by architect Malcolm Wells. Built across the Cooper River’s North bank, it was commissioned by homebuilder Bob Scarborough, according to township representatives.

It was dedicated on Valentine’s Day in 1959, according to the township, which saw dozens of couples come out to the bridge to celebrate. The township recreated the original dedication this past Valentine’s Day for the covered bridge’s 50th anniversary.