But seriously . . . Is the bridge falling apart?

Last week, inspectors checked the underside of the Veterans' Memorial Bridge from various points on land and water. They hammered at the location shown above and dislodged concrete, shown below.

The area within the caution tape and sawhorses in the background contains concrete fragments that had previously fallen from the bridge.  Closer views of the fragments can be seen HERE.

Concrete has also fallen from the bridge at other areas, including near the arches close to Rotary Park.

Re-bar is visible overhead at some locations where concrete has broken off.

Concrete has broken off at some of the bridge supports, also.

Networks of cracks are visible on the sides of several support piers.

Road salt is stored under a few of the arches.  Could it be accelerating erosion of the concrete above it?

 On the upper side of the bridge, steel cover plates are missing from large junction boxes containing electrical wiring. The boxes line the sidewalk that runs from Columbia to Wrightsville.

 Cover plates are missing from many recessed compartments in the side of the bridge, along the sidewalk.  These compartments, also, contain electrical wires that most likely feed bridge lamps.

 Some of the junction boxes show signs of possible prying, as shown here and below.  The boxes have  also become convenient trash receptacles.

 More exposed wiring

Damage is apparent on the Columbia and Wrightsville ends of the bridge, as well as at several points in between.  The bridge is under PennDOT's jurisdiction, but its current condition will undoubtedly reflect negatively on the river towns of Columbia and Wrightsville during the upcoming 150th anniversary of the burning of the Civil War bridge.

What I Saw Recently

Some recent shots from around town over the past few days . . .

Checking sinkers and bobbers

Banners were recently installed on Locust Street in anticipation of the 150th anniversary of the bridge burning and the Battle of Gettysburg.

A new sidewalk is being installed near Rotary Park.  Will it be done in time for the 150th?

The event is "right around the corner": this coming Friday.

More work is being done across the street.

Janson's Park - Not everyone plays video games.  Nothing like a good ol' fashioned game of hopscotch.

Mallards nestling at River Park

Ongoing construction of the Taj Mahal addition to the Columbia Water Company.  I feel like it's costing me money just to look at it.  It's not even finished and there's already been a request for us to start paying for it.  Good thing the PUC is looking into it.

By the way, what security measures have been put in place to make sure we don't have another mini-crisis relating to the water supply, like we did in mid-March of this year?  Better locks? Cameras? Lights?  Security guards? Anything?  What requests for such information has our borough council demanded from the water company?  What information has council gathered about this, other than vague assurances that our water supply is safe?

Articles about the issue have appeared on this blog HERE, HERE, HERE, and HERE, along with dozens of comments.
A curious comment HERE appeared on this blog on April 9, 2013 relating to security (or lack thereof) at the water tanks near Laurel Hill Cemetery.  Since the commenter listed his identity as "Anonymous," I can't vouch for the veracity of the claims, but the comment bears a second look:

AnonymousApril 9, 2013 at 4:08 AM

I'm sorry but while I agree it needs much better security, I think the ensuing panic is just another sign of post 9/11 American hysteria. As a much younger man, myself and a group of friends would frequent that complex, through laurel hill as you mentioned, and I'm ashaned to say at one point, we broke the same lock. Never was a word breathed to the public.Simple teenage curiosity. And the bolt cutters used came from about ten feet away. I myself immediately recalled that time and consumed the water freely. I refuse to let the terrorists win.

Meanwhile, borough workers continue brush clearing and fence building near River Park to make space for Civil War-style encampments.

Under the Veterans' Memorial Bridge - a snake fashioned from a mulch-filled sleeve

(to guard the graffiti, I suppose).

Over on Mill Street, no one has yet decided whether to mow the sidewalk, pave it over, or break out the Roundup.

Same thing on Second Street.

But further up on Second, someone has finally done it right and kept after the sidewalk.

Nicely done.

Alas, no one has kept up with this grass-covered alleyway.  It runs from Second Street to Bank Avenue/North Bank Street and looks as though it should be part of J Avenue, but does not appear as such on Google maps.  In fact, it doesn't appear at all.  So, is it private property?  (If so, it's not posted.)  Or is it a forgotten public alley that should have been paved?

Lily along Bank Avenue

Riverfront Drive/Avenue/Street - now PRIVATE

"Relaxation's Transportation"

License plate

Cat on track

Foreclosures are increasing in Lancaster County

http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/864093_Foreclosures-are-increasing-in-Lancaster-County.html

PennDOT's project wish-list could funnel $750m-plus into region's roads and bridges

http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2013/06/penndot_funding_transportation.html#incart_m-rpt-1

Pa. Turnpike scandal: Former CEO Joe Brimmeier was a master political operative

http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2013/06/turnpike_scandal_who_is_former.html#incart_m-rpt-1

Rebel threat seized county 150 years ago

http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/862483_Rebel-threat-seized-county-150-years-ago.html

Columbia fire leaves families without homes

http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/864408_Columbia-fire-leaves-families-without-homes.html

Stone piers are all that's left

abc27 WHTM

Stone piers in the Susquehanna River are all that's left of the old Wrightsville bridge, but back in 1863 it was pretty grand; the world's largest covered bridge, and the only bridge between Harrisburg and Maryland.

http://www.abc27.com/video?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=9015491#.UcS8OUFIHIk.blogger

PennDOT shows funding plan it had kept from public

http://www.whptv.com/news/local/story/PennDOT-shows-funding-plan-it-had-kept-from-public/Ww-o8zvdRUaIT2qOUFLDCA.cspx

Repelling the Rebels in 1863

LANCASTER ONLINE
As any Civil War buff worth his salted hardtack knows, Confederate soldiers never intended to fight at Gettysburg when they invaded Pennsylvania in June 1863.

Their plan was to cross the Susquehanna River, capture Harrisburg, if possible, and then sweep on toward Philadelphia or even Washington.

An effective defense on the West Shore of the river, across from the state capital, and at the Columbia-Wrightsville bridge defeated that plan.

MORE HERE:
http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/863987_Repelling-the-Rebels-in-1863.html

Program on burning of Columbia-Wrightsville bridge set for June 27

LancasterHistory.org will commemorate the 150th anniversary of the burning of the Columbia-Wrightsville covered bridge with a special regional history colloquium Thursday, June 27.

Glenn Banner will present "Flames Across the Susquehanna" at LancasterHistory.org, 230 N. President Ave. There will be a social gathering with light refreshments at 4 p.m., followed by the presentation at 4:30.

The multi-media presentation will feature multiple historic photos and sound effects that capture a historic moment in the history of the county and the country that changed the direction of the Civil War.

The event is free.

For more information, call 392-4633, extension 113.

http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/863738_Program-on-burning-of-Columbia-Wrightsville-bridge-set-for-June-27.html

POLICE LOG June 19, 2013

DRUGS
COLUMBIA: Lindsay Farron Garcia, 23, of Lancaster, and Michael Eugene Root, 31, of Manheim, were charged May 24 with possession of heroin and drug paraphernalia. Root was also charged with possession of Lorzepam, a prescription drug. He also gave police a false name.

DUI
COLUMBIA: Christopher David Smith, 23, of Lancaster, was charged June 9 after traveling at a high rate of speed the wrong way on a one-way street. Location of traffic stop was not reported.

COLUMBIA: Nicholas A. Malizia Jr., 49, of Columbia, was charged in late May with DUI and driving on a suspended license in the 600 block of Chestnut Street.

SIMPLE ASSAULT
COLUMBIA: William Edward Fox, 33, of Columbia, was charged June 10 after he struck a woman during a domestic dispute at Cherry Street and Lancaster Avenue.

THEFT CHARGES
COLUMBIA: Sara Jane Caswell, 19, of Columbia, was charged with taking $37.15 worth of clothing Saturday at the Dollar General Store, 960 Lancaster Ave.

COLUMBIA: Wilbur Lee Shuler, 44, was charged June 3 after he allegedly stole a wallet from a woman's purse and used her credit cards to make $80 worth of purchases.

COLUMBIA: Jean Louise Klott, 53, of Columbia, was charged May 31 with taking $117.24 worth of items at Turkey Hill, 301 Linden St.

WITNESS RETALIATION
COLUMBIA: Jose Luis Torres, 26, no known address, was charged with retaliation against a witness, victim or party, criminal mischief and public drunkenness and Julius Brock Taylor, 20, of Columbia, was charged with retaliation against a witness, victim or party, and criminal mischief on June 12. Police said they tried to enter a home in the 100 block of South Fourth Street by kicking in the front door, and threatened the occupants. Taylor was also charged with possession of cocaine and drug paraphernalia.

Bridge Inspection

This pontoon boat with an aerial lift and bucket was used to inspect the underside of the Veterans' Memorial Bridge today (Wednesday, June 19) . . .

According to one of the workers present, the inspection is done routinely every year or two.

Jogger robbed at gunpoint in Mountville

LANCASTERONLINE
A jogger was robbed at gunpoint in Mountville Tuesday evening, West Hempfield Township police reported.

The 24-year-old Mountville man was jogging at Huntington and Spring Hill lanes shortly before 7 p.m.

A beige sedan approached and two males got out of the car, police said.

One had a silver handgun and demanded the jogger's wallet.

The robbers also took the jogger's cellphone and fled in the car, police said. A third person is believed to have been driving the car.

The jogger was not hurt, police said.

The two robbers were described as white males. One was in his 20s and had short brown hair and tattoos on his forearms. He wore a black t-shirt. No further description was available for the other robber.

Police ask anyone with information to call 285-5191.

Tipsters also may call Lancaster City/County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-322-1913 or anonymously text LANCS plus your message to 847411 (TIP411).

http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/863194_Jogger-robbed-at-gunpoint-in-Mountville.html

Civil War envelope, cancellation mark burning of the Columbia-Wrightsville bridge

YORK DAILY RECORD
Mark the 150th anniversary of the Wrightsville Columbia Civil War Bridge burning with an envelope and cancellation (ink stamp).

MORE HERE:
http://www.ydr.com/living/ci_23478297/civil-war-envelope-cancellation-mark-burning-wrightsville-columbia

Man jailed 12 years for shooting in Columbia

http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/862438_Man-jailed-12-years-for-shooting-in-Columbia-.html

What I Saw - Saturday, June 15, 2013

 Lady in red

 Knick-knacks

 Noddin'

 K-9 dock patrol

 Hoodie on a warm day

 Sunbathers

 Launching

 Ice cream (even the two in the back)

 Fishin'

 Caught one!

 Signs of the times

(but which times?)

Double dose of tea - and low, low pants

Pa. town remembers Davy Jones, singer and neighbor

CBS21
BEAVERTOWN, Pa. (AP) — Family, fans and neighbors remembered former teen heartthrob Davy Jones with a concert and statue unveiling in central Pennsylvania.

A crowd gathered Saturday for the celebration at the carnival grounds in Beavertown, about 120 miles northwest of Philadelphia. PennLive.com reports Jones' daughters Jessica and Annabel attended.

MORE HERE:
http://www.whptv.com/news/local/story/Pa-town-remembers-Davy-Jones-singer-and-neighbor/A4CJ7-Gs-EW-FIBGtGj2cA.cspx

Susquehanna River fire destroys duck blind

http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/862111_Susquehanna-River-fire-destroys-duck-blind.html