Covered Bridge Struck By Car Closed Until End Of Year

The covered bridge struck by an unknown vehicle in Valley Forge National Historical Park earlier this week will remain closed until late this year, according to transportation officials.

In an update provided Tuesday evening, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) said state engineers have met with the contractor recently hired to rehabilitate three Chester County covered bridges, including the Knox Bridge, which suffered structural damage when it was struck by a vehicle Monday afternoon.

“The contractor will rehabilitate the Knox Covered Bridged and Rapps Dam Covered Bridge simultaneously this year,” said PennDOT spokesman Eugene Blaum in a statement. “Work on the Knox Covered Bridge is expected to start in September, following an eight-week timeframe for the delivery of the necessary materials.”

Authorities are still seeking a driver who collided with the bridge, located where Yellow Springs Road crosses Valley Creek in Valley Forge National Historical Park. According to previous statements from Blaum, the only information known about the vehicle is that it was “large.”

Before the collision, approximately 2,000 vehicles cross the 50-foot-long Knox Bridge each day.

Motorists are advised to follow Route 252, Swedesford Road and North Valley Road to travel around the closed bridge.