Stony Creek Railroad Bridge and a history of the area known as Kneedlers

Both sides of the bridge had this jumble of randomly sized rock in the center. Was it originally built this way in 1873? Was the brown stone added in 1914 to strengthen the bridge? Was an outer casing of stone removed to widen the roadway?   Before the bridge could be replaced, these Verizon cables had to be moved.   Just before the bridge was torn down, the missing railing was replaced. Safety first! Notice the condition of the tracks.   View from the bridge in 2009.   View from the bridge in 2010.   View from the bridge in 2012.   June 2010. Photo from the North Penn Reporter.   Checking things out at sunset, after the workers leave for the day.   October 2010. Forms being readied for the concrete abutments.   The new deck arrives in October of 2010. On the right, Verizon cables now go underground.     On top of the new bridge. October 31, 2010.   The track was replaced for several hundred feet in each direction.   1875 rail meets 2010 rail. Looks like a problem. How did the trackmen resolve it?   Several sections of tapered rail were used to match the new with the old.     Here is where the old and the new are tied together.   Sumneytown Pike in 2009, looking north. Allentown Road is to the right, now closed so it can be moved to the other side of Green Lawn Cemetery and aligned with an entrance to Merck. Allentown Road opened in 1768. This was the second time the intersection was moved. It was routed along the train tracks in 1914 so it wouldn't have to cross them.   Widening Sumneytown Pike.   Sumneytown Pike in 2012.   2009 2010