In response to the historic rain event and subsequent flooding, the Lancaster County Board of Commissioners have ordered the County Facilities Management Department and the County Engineer to complete damage assessments for all 64 County-owned bridges.

Preliminary assessments of have determined that the following bridges be closed:

• Big Chickies #6 (Siegrist Road, Rapho/West Hempfield Twps) - Bridge was washed away

• Little Chickies #2 (Pinkertown Road, East Donegal/Rapho Twps) - Stone walls were lost

• Little Chickies #4 (Drager Road, East Donegal/Rapho Twps) - Bridge approaches were washed away

• Big Conestoga #2 (Bridge Road, Caenarvon/East Earl Twps) – Needs repaired.

• Little Conestoga #1 (Shreiner Station Road, next to Ollies, East Hempfield/Manheim Twps) - Bridge approaches were washed away

Other closures may be necessary as additional bridges are evaluated.

"The Lancaster County Facilities Management Department and our County Engineer are coordinating closures and repairs with the PennDot and the local municipalities," stated Commissioner Scott Martin, Chairman. "The County is assisting the municipalities with road closure signs as they are in demand all over the county."

"During a rain event of this caliber, many factors can compromise the structural integrity of a bridge,a" stated Commissioner Dennis Stuckey, Vice-Chairman. "Among our primary concerns are bridges which were submerged underwater, hit by floating debris or where the roads leading up to the bridges were washed away. In addition we are concerned with how saturated and loose the soil is around the structures, especially where the bridge meets the soil."

"We are doing this to ensure the safety of travelers in Lancaster County and to get a comprehensive picture of what we structurally and financially are dealing with as a result of the storm," stated Commissioner Craig Lehman.