Out of the 100+ bridges that once crossed the Delaware Canal, Spahr’s Bridge in Upper Black Eddy is one of only six that retains its authentic and iconic camelback structure. The Friends spearheaded the restoration of four of the other camelbacks, encouraged the fifth, and have had Spahr’s on our to-do list for years.
Out of the 100+ bridges that once crossed the Delaware Canal, Spahr’s Bridge in Upper Black Eddy is one of only six that retains its authentic and iconic camelback structure. The Friends spearheaded the restoration of four of the other camelbacks, encouraged the fifth, and have had Spahr’s on our to-do list for years.
The east abutment of Spahr’s Camelback Bridge is in especially bad shape.
The east abutment of Spahr’s Camelback Bridge is in especially bad shape. Spahr’s Bridge has been a formidable project to tackle because not only is the superstructure severely deteriorated, but also both stone abutments are cracked, a condition exacerbated by two earthquakes. The $350–$400,000 cost of restoring Spahr’s Bridge has been an obstacle.
Now the stars are aligning.
The relatively new owner of the property on either side of the bridge believes in historic preservation and supports its restoration vs. modernization. The bridge’s condition is now so poor that action by the state is inevitable. The Friends have been very vocal in our support of handling the project using historic preservation best practices, and the state agrees. Plans are underway to hire a highly qualified contractor to dismantle the superstructure taking care to inventory and record the existing members, storing and reusing timber and hardware when possible. The state plans to contract with a consultant to prepare the plans and specifications for repair of the stone abutments. The state will fund both the dismantling and the abutment projects.
Don’t cross this bridge!
And we come to the part of the Spahr’s Bridge project with which you can help.
Private contributions are being sought to fund the superstructure portion. In simpler terms, the trusses, the deck, the crossbeams, and the hardware. Putting Spahr’s Bridge together requires expertise, skills, and passion. The Friends’ contribution to the project will help ensure those requirements are met.
We are very pleased and thankful for two very generous donations from the Goodfellow Fund and Barbara and Peter Sperry. They have given the Spahr’s Bridge restoration a great jump start.
2032 Plan
Friends of the Delaware Canal
The Friends of the Delaware Canal, with the help of the landscape architect Studio Bryan Hanes, solicited input for the 2032 Plan for the Delaware Canal. Coinciding with the bicentennial of the Delaware Canal and the 50th anniversary of the Friends advocacy and stewardship, the 2032 Plan will bring the Canal into the next decade and beyond.
