No Reopening Date Set Yet For Covered Bridge In Valley Forge Park

VALLEY FORGE, PA — There is no set opening date yet for the historic Knox Covered Bridge in Valley Forge, which has been shut down for months after a tree fell on it.

The damage occurred back on Aug. 22. The tree smashed completely through the roof of the bridge.

"There is currently no set date for when PennDOT will complete the repairs," the National Park Service said in a statement. "Since large dumpsters and construction equipment will be present at the site, the Valley Creek Trail from the covered bridge to Wolfinger Trail will be closed during repairs to accommodate these materials."

See previous coverage: Tree Crashes Through Historic Covered Bridge In Valley Forge Park

Yellow Springs Road remains closed between Route 252 and Library Lane, and drivers are being rerouted to a detour.

The 55-feet-long, 12-foot-wide structure carries approximately 1,604 vehicles per day, PennDOT said.

An original bridge was constructed in 1851 but was washed away by a flood in 1865, when it was rebuilt. In the nearly 160 years since, it has been seriously damaged by trucks, floods, fires, and other natural phenomena over the years, but has persevered.