Historic Sheepford Road Bridge to Be Preserved After Decades of Service
-
Asia Tabb
AIRED; September 25, 2025
Listen to the podcast to hear the full conversation.
The Sheepford Road Bridge, a 19th-century engineering landmark connecting York and Cumberland Counties, is set for restoration after years of community advocacy and preservation efforts. Built in 1887 by the Phoenix Bridge Company, the bridge features innovative Phoenix Columns, a wrought-iron construction technique that also supported projects like the New York City subway, Independence Hall, and the Washington Monument.
“Back in 2019, I noticed some commotion down by the bridge and found out it was slated for demolition,” said local resident Janice Lynx. “That’s when I got involved. I couldn’t believe we were going to lose this piece of history.”
The bridge had been placed on a lower priority funding list due to its low traffic volume, threatening its preservation. But the historical significance, original portals, and builder’s plaques made it eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. “Once we realized the bridge was exceptional, we knew we had to act,” Lynx said.
Don Paul Shearer, another local advocate, emphasized the bridge’s role in regional connectivity. “It was a major connection between York and Cumberland Counties,” he said. “The construction, along with its historical nature, is why we pushed to preserve it.”
HistoricBridges.org rates Sheepford Road Bridge 9 out of 10 for historical and technological significance, and PennDOT has classified its preservation priority as exceptional. The bridge will be restored for pedestrian and bicycle use, supported by a $1.4 million PennDOT TSA grant. “I was actually in Paris when I got the call that the grant was approved,” Lynx recalled. “I made quite a scene. We immediately celebrated with a bottle of champagne.”
The restoration ensures that this Pratt through truss bridge, built like an old-fashioned erector set, can be carefully disassembled and reassembled, preserving its original Phoenix Columns and U-connectors. “It’s amazing to think that a bridge from a small Pennsylvania company contributed technology used nationwide,” Lynx said.
With restoration underway, the Sheepford Road Bridge will continue to serve as both a functional connector and a testament to Pennsylvania’s legacy of innovation and engineering.
