The contractor for the Reynolds Avenue Bridge decided to pick this week, the 145th Anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg, to close down the bridge to work on the railings. Words cannot adequately describe our feelings about the contractor’s awareness of history and Gettysburg National Military Park visitation at this time of year. This view was taken from the south facing north at approximately 11:30 AM on Monday, June 30, 2008.
The Reynolds Avenue bridge was passable on May 30th. For 30 days, the bridge was not worked on. The new rails were not placed on the sides of the bridge. Large concrete barriers blocked the view from the bridge. The contractor started working on the bridge today. June 30th. The week of the 145th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg. Thousands of people are visiting the battlefield, and the bridge was closed today so they could install the railings. They were supposed to finish their work by noon, but work was slower than expected. One lane was finally open by 2:00 PM. When the Gettysburg Daily took more pictures at 5:50 PM, both lanes were passable, but they haven’t finished installing the rails. Please see previous Gettysburg Daily posts on this bridge’s progress on March 16th, March 21st, March 29th, April 8th, May 11th, May 23rd, and May 30th.
The bridge is beautiful, however. The black rails and the rock exterior are very aesthetically pleasing. This view if from the southwest facing northeast at approximately 5:50 PM on Monday, June 30, 2008.
The railings on the east side of the bridge are not yet complete, but they are farther along than the railings on the west side. View is from the northwest looking southeast at approximately 5:50 PM on Monday, June 30, 2008.
The 14th Brooklyn, and the bird that constantly occupies the top of the statue, have stood vigil by more than a few bridges that have been placed in this position over the years at the railroad cut. View is from the southwest facing northeast at approximately 5:50 PM on Monday, June 30, 2008.
There are still building materials on the east side of the bridge. This view was taken from the northwest facing southeast at approximately 5:50 PM on Monday, June 30, 2008.
Again, this is a bridge of which the National Park Service should be proud. This view if from the northwest facing southeast at approximately 5:50 PM on Monday, June 30, 2008.
One concern expressed by a Licensed Battlefield Guide today concerned the width of the roadway. There are now nice sidewalks on either side of the bridge, but can two buses pass across the bridge at the same time? This view was taken from the north facing south at approximately 5:50 PM on Monday, June 30, 2008.
Storm clouds arrived this evening, but earlier in the day the atmosphere was much more electric. The National Park Service was surprised the bridge was going to be closed for so long and did not have detour signs up for visitors to make their way to the Eternal Light Peace Memorial and other points north. This view if from the northeast facing southwest at approximately 5:50 PM on Monday, June 30, 2008.
