Crossing Status - 11/2/2008
As of November 2008, the project to provide trail users (at grade) crossing of Route 50 in Venice has been partially completed by volunteers. When completed, this crossing will eliminate the 0.6 mi long trail bypass route (on public roads) in Venice. Longer term, a new Montour Trail bridge is planned to pass over this public road intersection.

The first photo shows construction status as of November 2008. In 2008, the temporary structure progressed towards completion; but the structure is not yet ready for use. Just barely visible in the photo, the upper deck and railings are now finished. Also completed were five protective barriers (painted yellow) and clearly visible in the photo. These barriers prevent vehicles from damaging the primary structure footers.

The second photo shows Gabion baskets along the stream bank near the main bridge pillar. In late summer 2008, these baskets were filled with rock and installed by Trail volunteers to stabilize the stream bank from water erosion. This work was an unexpected (but necessary) expansion in project scope. Water in the stream (greenish color in lower right of photo) was quite low when this photo was taken on 11/2/2008.

To complete this project several items remain to be finished. On the western side of the crossing, two sets of stairs are needed on the wooden structure. One set from the upper most deck to the intermediate deck, and a second set from the intermediate deck to ground level. Both stairs may also include special bicycle tracks; these will allow riders to more easily traverse the stairs with their bicycles. Across the road from the wooden structure (eastern side), about 200 yards of land must be improved. These improvements include grading, addition of a new trail surface, and installation of signs. Project completion is now projected to be in spring 2009.

The third and fourth photos summarize construction progress in December 2007. The third photo shows construction viewed from the western trail termination point looking eastward. Note that about 30 yards of old railroad rails and ties, previously leading up to the bridge structure, had been removed and replaced by a new trail surface. Also notice the early stages of new safety railings and new deck. The fourth photo shows construction viewed from ground level (near Mucks Lunch) looking westward. Primary concrete footers of the new wooden structure can be seen in this photo. Outside the primary footers, a ring of protective footers (with orange wrapping) is visible in a early phase of construction.