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State forest donates $59,024.77 to county; replacement of condemned swing bridge may exceed $1 million
Summary
A representative of the Commonwealth State Forest presented a $59,024.77 check from timber sales and described plans to replace a condemned swing bridge that currently blocks access to about 800 acres; the speaker said engineering redesign and rising costs mean replacement could top $1 million and that DCR grants may be sought.
A representative of Commonwealth State Forest told the Board of Supervisors on Aug. 25 that the state forest system is self-funded and provided Cumberland County a check for $59,024.77 from timber sales. Jim Housak (Cumberland State Forest representative) described a condemned swinging bridge at the Warner parcel that currently blocks public access to roughly 800 acres. He said an earlier architect retired, current design costs have increased, and a replacement bridge is likely to exceed $1 million. Housak said the Department of Conservation and Recreation has trail-grant programs the forest will seek to offset some costs and that construction could begin around 2026 if engineering reviews and grant applications succeed. The replacement design discussed would use an arching structure to remain above high-water events. Board members asked whether a different swinging bridge project estimated previously at about $450,000 had been completed; Housak said the referenced smaller bridge was not replaced because alternate access routes exist for that portion of the forest, but the Warner bridge is a higher priority due to the loss of public access. Housak presented the timber-sale check to the board at the meeting; supervisors accepted it during the public presentation but did not designate a specific use in the same session.
