See it while you can: This Pa. destination for fall foliage is closing for repairs

One of Pennsylvania's premier spots for fall foliage viewing is closing on weekday mornings, before it's scheduled to be blocked off completely to visitors into next summer.

It's called the Kinzua Bridge State Park Skyway in McKean County, and it's the focus of a $15 million multiyear maintenance project.

Officials at the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation of Natural Resources recognize the destination's value for seasonal tourism, however. So it's expected to remain open during two months around the start of each fall ahead of the project's anticipated completion in late 2027.

"During a structural safety inspection it was determined that the Kinzua Bridge Skywalk remains safe but needs some maintenance to ensure its longevity," DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn said in a news release. "DCNR understands the Skywalk experience is most spectacular during fall foliage season and visitors support local economies, so the project will not begin until after the season ends this year and will be reopened for two months in the fall during construction."

MORE: Will fall foliage colors in Pa. and N.J. be popping in 2024? Here's what AccuWeather predicts.

The Skyway is the reinvented Kinzua Viaduct in the 339-acre park at Mount Jewett in northwestern Pennsylvania, our sister site pennlive.com reported in 2020. Construction of the original massive iron structure was completed in 1882, making it the world's highest railroad viaduct. Originally 301 feet high and 2,053 feet long, it was rebuilt out of steel around 1900 and continued to carry freight traffic until 1959 before becoming a national recreational landmark.

A July 2003 F1 tornado tore 11 of the bridge's towers from their concrete bases. It reopened in September 2011, featuring a 600-foot-long walkway and 225-foot-high observation deck overlooking the Kinzua Creek Valley and a partial glass floor to allow glimpses of the feat of engineering below.

The DCNR earlier this month announced the Skywalk and Kinzua Creek Trail would be closed to the public for inspections each morning until noon on weekdays, including through Thursday, Sept. 26. Otherwise, the attractions are open until sunset. Additional inspection days are planned into October, but won't occur on weekends or holidays.

The Skywalk then will be closed Nov. 19 through Aug. 7, 2025, when it will reopen for a two-month period for leaf viewing season before closing again to allow the project to continue, officials said.

Work will be stopped during winter weather, the DCNR said in announcing the project last April. Another two-month opening for fall foliage viewing is planned at least for 2025 during the project period.

The rehabilitation project is targeting areas of the structure impacted by exposure to the elements, state officials said.

The project will include:

Removing the decking and railroad ties to access the towers.

Adding and replacing steel in sections where thinning has occurred.

Reinstalling railroad ties and decking.

Installing new plexiglass for the viewing area.

Replacing the handrails.

Blast cleaning and painting of all of the steel portions of the Skywalk.

Kinzua Bridge is one of 124 Pennsylvania state parks, and about a five-hour drive (270 miles) from Bethlehem. Lodging is available nearby .

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