Bridge in Porter Township
Why it's listed
Built in 1889 by the Berlin Iron Bridge Company of East Berlin, Connecticut, this single-span steel bridge crosses Pine Creek in Porter Township, Lycoming County. It is a lenticular truss, a form named for the lens-like shape of its curved upper and lower chords. Measuring 287.31 feet overall, it carries vehicular traffic on an open steel deck with curb and guardrail. The superstructure is steel with pin and riveted connections, and the abutments and wings are concrete with scored joints. The bridge was altered in 1964. It is one of three lenticular trusses considered together in a multiple-resource group of Pennsylvania highway bridges. Its significance rests on engineering: it is an intact example of an uncommon truss type and is longer than the related Waterville Bridge, which was built by the same company. Its decorative portals add to its distinction.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the bridge is an intact example of an unusual truss type, the lenticular truss, whose name derives from the lens-like shape of its curved upper and lower chords. It is considerably longer than the related Waterville Bridge and is similar in member configuration, with decorative portals. The area of significance is engineering.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 88000842, listed June 22, 1988. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | LR 41017 over Pine Creek, Jersey Shore |
|---|---|
| County | Lycoming County |
| Listed | June 22, 1988 |
| Reference number | 88000842 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Architect / builder | Berlin Iron Bridge Company, East Berlin, Conn. (builder) |
| Areas of significance | Engineering |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Altered in 1964 according to the integrity section; the form does not state current use beyond vehicular. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 41.18093, -77.27828 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For a publicly owned building or structure, listing mainly matters when federal funds, permits or licences are involved: projects then go through Section 106 review so effects on the property are considered. Listing also strengthens applications for preservation grants and, for leased income-producing uses, can enable the federal rehabilitation tax credit.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 88000842.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q4966373
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.