New Bridge Constructed Near Pennyfield Lock

The historic Pennyfield Lock off River Road is sporting a brand new pedestrian bridge, one that is stouter than the older bridge to accommodate equestrian lovers.

The new bridge was opened to the public a few weeks ago but is still in need of some site grading before the job is considered complete.

National Park Service officials decided they could get by without constructing a vehicle bridge at Pennyfield Lock but figured the reconstructed bridge could be horse-friendly, as many equestrians visit the area.

The bridge was fabricated in the Williamsport maintenance facility in June of this year and shipped and assembled on site during the first two weeks in July, said Christopher J. Stubbs, chief of the Division of Resources Management for the C&O Canal National Historical Park.

Because many of the materials that were used  — the steel and lumber — in the construction were surplus from previous jobs, the new bridge cost only $2,200 to construct.

Pennyfield’s Lift Lock 22, which is used to regulate water for the daily operation of the Great Falls interpretive boat program, was disassembled and rebuilt in 2010. The lock project was funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Kevin Brandt, National Park Service superintendent, said the upper lock chamber and gate pockets were showing signs of distress from storm damage. The gates were about 20 years old and the primary timbers had been rotting.