MILANVILLE, COCHECTON — On Monday, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced that it would begin work to remove the Skinner’s Falls Bridge. However, because of weather conditions such as ice on the river, the work will not start to proceed until mid-March.

When that work proceeds, the site will be prepared and causeways will be constructed. The Skinners Falls Bridge is being removed by PennDOT because of its deteriorated condition.

PennDOT stated recently that the bridge’s substructure has failed and is in serious condition, according to an examination conducted in October 2024. After considering several possibilities, PennDOT concluded that demolition was required to remove the public safety issue. 

The New York abutment and upstream (left) truss bearing zones are actively moving, according to an inspection conducted in January 2025. 

In order to avoid an uncontrollable collapse, PennDOT states that the bridge must be removed as soon as feasible.

Residents and recreation users prepare for restrictions in the Skinners Falls-Milanville Bridge area due to ongoing construction, expected to last until May 2025.

The fishing access area and parking lot will be closed during this period.

River users must exit upstream at Damascus and re-enter downstream at Narrowsburg, avoiding the construction zone.

Aids to Navigation (ATON) are in place, but buoys will only be installed once river ice clears.

A full river closure near the bridge will occur at some point during construction.

The bridge area will be fenced off, with no public access allowed.

For updates, you can visit the NPS Upper Delaware River website at http://nps.gov/upde/planyourvisit/conditions.htm

Ambitions to 

save Skinners

Throughout the bridge’s closure and planned fate, there have been several calls to save it in recent months.

The DCS, or Damascus Citizens for Sustainability, sent a letter of interest to all parties involved in the Skinners Falls-Milanville Bridge’s planned “explosive demolition.”

The letter states of the formal interest in acquiring the historic Skinners Falls Bridge, including its structure, easements, associated rights and liabilities.

Citing the bridge’s historical significance and its original purpose of serving local communities in Pennsylvania and New York, the group aims to take responsibility for its restoration and long-term maintenance. 

The bridge, which was originally built by private citizens in the early 1900s and later transferred to government ownership, has deteriorated and closed in recent years due to lack of maintenance.

The organization proposes to purchase the bridge for $1 and assume all liabilities in exchange for $16 million in restoration funds from PennDOT. 

Any additional funds required for the project will be raised independently. The restoration will adhere to federal engineering and preservation standards while minimizing environmental impact and disruptions to recreation.

Upon completion, DCS noted their commitment to maintaining the bridge for at least 20 years. They also requested a pause on any demolition efforts while negotiations are taking place. 

A legally binding agreement will be drafted to outline the terms of the transfer and ensure proper use of funds.

The group seeks a prompt response from authorities to move forward with their plan.

In response to this, PennDOT Engineer Susan Hazelton responded that the State entity would be “willing to discuss transfer to any entity willing to take ownership.”

DCS has expressed interest in moving forward with that discussion.

On January 29, DCS submitted recommendations from Wrought Iron Bridge Works for the non-destructive stabilization and future rehabilitation of the historic Skinners Falls Bridge. However, those reccomendations have been rejected.

“The proposed destruction of Skinners Falls Bridge must be halted, and bridge rehabilitation finally made a priority,” DCS Director Barbara Arrindell said in a statement. “This is what the community wants.”

As of presstime, DCS said they were awaiting PennDOT’s response and could not be reached for comment on further developments.