[1] HistoricBridges.org. National Bridge Inventory Data Sheet - Fleegle Bridge. 2010. Raw data. Somerset County, Pennsylvania, STOYSTOWN.
[2] Ibid.
[3] Ibid.
Primary Document 1 Builder’s Plaque (backside). Photo taken 8/9/13.
Primary Documents:
- Builder’s Plaque (backside):
1887 Peter . Dumbauld Adam . C . Lepley
Jonas . 1[?]G[?] . Elingtoc[?]k
Commissioner
Figure 7 View of Stoneycreek River from deck. Photo taken 8/9/13.
Figure 6 Road buildup and bridge. Photo taken 8/9/13.
On a 2009/2010 report, inspections rated the bridge’s substructure “Satisfactory” and the deck “Fair.” Only the superstructure was listed as “Poor.”[3] Common sense would dictate that rehabilitation and not destruction and replacement would be the most cost-effective as well as responsible thing to do. Truss bridges are becoming rarer by the day, and the Fleegle Bridge is, in addition to being an excellent example of a fixed through truss, a first-rate example of the Groton Bridge Company’s work and design. Every effort should be made to fix and preserve the attractive Fleegle Bridge.
Figure 5 Side view of truss elements.
Photo taken 8/9/13.
Figure 4 Semi-portal view, facing east.
Photo taken 8/9/13.
Preservation:
The bridge has been determined to be eligible for the NRHP (National Register of Historic Places) but as of 2014, it has not been listed as so. It is located in a primarily rural location with limited traffic and thus the need for any kind of large replacement is unnecessary. Additionally, it is a quite attractive bridge that fits well into the surrounding landscape. However, PennDOT has determined that the bridge should eventually be replaced due to a number of reasons, including the one-lane width, the shape of the road buildup, and damage to the superstructure, which all could have been avoided and fixed.
Figure 3 Close-up of wooden deck structure. Photo taken 8/9/13.
Design:
The Fleegle Bridge is a one-lane pratt truss bridge. The Groton Bridge Company took sincere effort at attractiveness with decorative lattice and sway bracing. At ninety-five feet long and fourteen feet wide, the bridge contains its original plaques and at least one remaining decorative finial (as seen in the above photograph).[1] Unfortunately, PennDOT (Pennsylvania Department of Transportation) has placed clearance signs on the fronts of both plaques, obstructing important historical and structural information. Luckily, the Groton Bridge Company was unusual in providing information on both sides of its plaques, helping to provide some information. The deck structure is composed of wooden planks. Rehabilitation work was done in 2002.[2]
Figure 2 Portal view, facing west. Photo taken 8/9/13.
Location:
Somerset County, Pennsylvania. Lenhart Road over Stoneycreek River, near Stoystown, Pennsylvania.
History:
The Fleegle Bridge was built in 1887 by the Groton Bridge Company of Groton, New York. It is also referred to as the Lenhart Road Bridge.
Figure 1 Fleegle Bridge. Photo taken 8/9/13.