STEEL BRIDGE: The fifth bridge and current steel structure was constructed in 1937. (Length: 1,087 ft. Main Span: 223 ft. Roadway: 23 ft. Main Spans: 4) During the late spring and summer the Highway Department Engineers made three distinct surveys of probable sites for the new bridge; one on Milford Street, one on Market Street and one on Tuscarora Street. The highway Department decided to use the old site of the covered bridge and immediately appropriated the necessary funds. Then, after further discussion with the Town Council and the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, the Market Street site was selected because it eliminated two very dangerous curves and a very steep approach.
The 4-span, 1087 foot long bridge, built in 1937, is composed of four Parker thru truss spans over the river, measuring approximately 222'-long each, a steel thru girder span over the street, and two steel stringer and a reinforced concrete slab approach spans. The deck was replaced in 1975 and the slab span replaced a steel stringer span in 1982. The rivet-connected trusses are composed of standard built-up chords and rolled steel section verticals and diagonals. The bridge is a late and undistinguished example of a truss design developed in the 1870s and used by the state highway department as a standard beginning in the 1920s. It has no noteworthy details. More than 75 examples from the 1920s to 1940s have been identified [though many have since been demolished]. The bridge is not distinguished by its setting, nor is it significant in association with the development of Port Royal. The town grew in association with the railroad as a local commercial and transportation center for the countryside from the late 1840s to about 1910.
Contributed by rkohler3 on 8/18/19 - Image Year: 1937
CONSTRUCTION BEGINS ON STEEL BRIDGE: Workers begin construction of the piers for the steel bridge in the First "Water" Street area of Port Royal. (Photo courtesy of Wayne E. Taylor)
Contributed by ray on 8/18/19 - Image Year: 1937
INSTALLING PILINGS: Workmem install pilings for the piers of the new steel bridge that will replace the covered bridge that was washed away by the 1936 flood. (Photo submitted by Wayne Taylor)
Contributed by rkohler3 on 8/18/19 - Image Year: 1937
FIRST PIER The bridge under construction in 1937. The photo shows one of the new piers for the bridge and off to the left, one of the piers for the previous bridge. When this new pier was completed the workmen left a long ladder stand against the end of the pier over the weekend. During their absence some citizens were greatly startled to see three children of Harvey and Mary (Elliott) Blystone; Harvey Jr., 6, Charlotte E., 9, and Isabel M., 12 years old, playing on top of this 57 foot pier.
Contributed by ray on 8/18/19 - Image Year: 1937
BEAM ARRIVES: A beam for the Steel Juniata River Bridge is being transported across The Milford Street Crossing for placement on the new steel bridge: (Photo courtesy if Wayne E. Taylor)
Contributed by rkohler3 on 8/18/19 - Image Year: 1937
BRIDGE BEGINS TO TAKE SHAPE: The first span of the bridge is about half completed. (Photo submitted by Wayne Taylor)
Contributed by ray on 8/18/19 - Image Year: 1937
FIRST SPAN IN PLACE: The construction of the river bridge in 1937. The first span is in place.
Contributed by rkohler3 on 8/18/19 - Image Year: 1937
SECOND SPAN BEGINS: Work has begun on the Second Span. (Photo courtesy of Wayne E. Taylor)
Contributed by rkohler3 on 8/18/19 - Image Year: 1937
SECOND SPAN COMPLETED: Construction of the river bridge in 1937. The second span appears to be in place.
Contributed by ray on 8/18/19 - Image Year: 1937
THIRD SPAN IN PLACE: Work appears to be beginning on the fourth span.
Contributed by rkohler3 on 8/18/19 - Image Year: 1937
CRANE FINISHING STEEL BRIDGE (Photo courtesy of Wayne E. Taylor)
Contributed by rkohler3 on 8/18/19 - Image Year: 1937
BRIDGE BUILDERS: Iron and steel workers on the Juniata River Bridge at Port Royal. (The photo was taken by Port Royal photographer Paul Smith.) (Juniata County History Project collection, M, Historical Collections and Labor Archives, Special Collections Library, University Libraries, Pennsylvania State University.)
Contributed by rkohler3 on 8/18/19 - Image Year: 1938
ORGANIZING FOR THE DEDICATION PARADE: Fire companies getting organized for the Bridge Dedication Parade in 1938.
Contributed by rkohler3 on 8/18/19 - Image Year: 1938
DEDICATION PARADE: Bridge Dedication Parade passes Port Royal National Bank and Bashore Hardware in 1938.
Contributed by rkohler3 on 8/18/19 - Image Year: 1937
S. R. Bashore was the first resident to cross the completed bridge and H. S. Deen, the first to drive a vehicle across it.
Although completed six months earlier, the bridge was formally dedicated in a ceremony on, July 17, 1938. After a parade through the town Mr. Robert Eliott Groninger one of the town's oldest residents, a farmer and associate judge (son of Leonard & Margaret Jane (Reynolds) Groninger and husband of Mary Belle McLaughlin) cut the ribbon officially dedicating the bridge.
Contributed by rkohler3 on 8/19/19 - Image Year: 1976
BRIDGE REOPENED: The Port Royal River Bridge, closed since Labor Day was reopened on Friday in time for Memorial Day weekend [1976]. The entire bridge has been repaired, sidewalks, and parapets poured and the whole deck replaced. The work was performed by G & E construction of Lancaster and it was completed on schedule. The cost was about one half million dollars. The first person over the bridge was George W. Campbell of Port Royal RD1. (Photo courtesy of Wayne E. Taylor)
Contributed by rkohler3 on 8/19/19 - Image Year: 2000
Bridge as viewed from the intersection of the Juniata River and the Tuscarora Creek.
Contributed by donholton3 on 8/19/19 - Image Year: 2007
Port Royal Sign and Bridge Walkway at the eastern entrance in 2007.
Contributed by rkohler3 on 8/19/19 - Image Year: 2009
This photo shows the bridge wrapped in canvas so that it could be repainted. The canvas is to prevent overspray. (The photo was taken from Second Street along side the Hotel Royal in the Summer of 2009.)
Contributed by rkohler3 on 8/19/19 - Image Year: 2012
The Juniata River Bridge as it appears from on top of Tyson's Hill. (Photo courtesy of Abby Fohringer)
