Rehabilitation Plans Set for Kinzua Sky Bridge in McKean County
Revitalization efforts have been set for the Sky Bridge at Kinzua Bridge State Park this year.
The project is scheduled to begin in November and will span a three-year period.
“This is a preservation project," stated Jared Fencil, Assistant Regional Manager for Region 1 State Parks. "It is a multi-year project to upkeep the bridge and do some rehabilitation work.”
The revitalization efforts will focus on removing rust from the pillars, followed by painting, and then redecking the walkway.
Visitors to the park need not worry about missing out on prime leaf-peeping season though, as measures are in place to ensure that everyone will still be able to come out and enjoy the view.
“Plans are in place to pause rehabilitation on the Sky Walk during prime leaf viewing months," stated Wesley Robinson, Press Secretary for Pennsylvania DCNR. "We’d like to think of this as preserving the bridge and the Sky Walk for people to be able to use, not actually a closure. We will still have our observation deck open, much of the trail leading into the park will be open also. By and large, the park will still be open, and folks will still be able to use it.”
Per State Park representatives, these repairs are being done now as a proactive measure to ensure the life of the bridge, as it has not been painted in over 30 years.
“We want the public to know that the bridge is safe for pedestrians," added Fencil. "There are routine inspections that occur on the bridge, and as we went through those inspections it was determined that this rehabilitation project was needed.”
The park, visitors center, and most of the trails around the Sky Bridge will stay open during the three-year project, and park managers and representatives from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) encourage everyone to come out and enjoy the view.
For more information about Kinzua Bridge State Park and the Sky Bridge, visit here.