Historic Chesco covered bridge damaged by vehicle

TREDYFFRIN A historic covered bridge scheduled to be rehabilitated soon was hit by a large vehicle Monday in Valley Forge National Historical Park and will be closed for the foreseeable future.

The Knox Covered Bridge on Yellow Springs Road sustained structural damage from a hit-and-run incident after a driver did not properly navigate the turn before the bridge Monday afternoon, park rangers said.

The crash damaged almost an entire wall of stone masonry adjacent to the bridge and a 20-foot-long section of timber siding, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.

The bridge, built in 1865, was rehabilitated in 1996 and 2006, and carries an average of 2,000 vehicles per day.

The department recently awarded $3.2 million to restore three covered bridges in Chester County: the Rapps Dam covered bridge in East Pikeland, the Speakman covered bridge in West Marlborough and East Fallowfield, and the Knox bridge.

The Knox bridge will stay closed until the rehabilitation project is completed at a date to be determined.

PennDot advises drivers to use Route 252, Swedesford Road. and North Valley Road to travel around the bridge. - Michaelle Bond