PA DCNR: New Video Available on Kinzua Bridge's Historic Rise, Spectacular Fall

PA DCNR: New Video Available on Kinzua Bridge's Historic Rise, Spectacular Fall

HARRISBURG, Pa., Oct. 31 /PRNewswire/ -- The rise and fall of the historic Kinzua Viaduct in McKean County has been captured in a new documentary, "Tracks Across the Sky," that is now available on the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources' web site.

"The Kinzua's tragic fate captured nationwide attention in 2003 when a tornado toppled this revered historic structure, once the world's highest and longest railroad bridge in the world," DCNR Secretary Michael DiBerardinis said. "This widely acclaimed video chronicles the challenges of its builders in the late 1880s, the destructive wrath of the tornado and an ongoing commitment to see its remains and surrounding state park restored to prominence as a major tourist attraction in the Route 6 corridor."

Governor Edward G. Rendell this summer released $700,000 to fund initial design work for the stabilization of the bridge's remains and the renovation of the surrounding 316-acre state park.

At a mid-September public meeting, DCNR officials said the funds would be used to repair nine of the towers left standing from the 20-column span, and for the design of a new park visitors center, roads and parking lots.

Visitors to Kinzua Bridge State Park, off Route 6 near Mount Jewett, also can view "Tracks Across the Sky" at the temporary visitors center, and DCNR officials say the film likely will be an integral feature of the park's future interpretative efforts and development. Web viewers are invited to visit DCNR's site: http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/ (select "State Parks," then "Kinzua State Park").

The video was produced by award-winning documentary producers Lisa and Rich Gensheimer of Main Street Media. They devoted nine months documenting the viaduct's history - from its earliest design artifacts and construction photos to the extensive $12 million emergency repair project launched by DCNR in 2002 after inspections deemed the bridge unsafe.

"Tracks Across the Sky" was produced in partnership with the Allegheny National Forest Vacation Bureau and Penn State Public Broadcasting, with partial funding from the Pennsylvania Public Television Network. The program was made possible by grants from the Department of Community and Economic Development and its Pennsylvania Tourism Office; Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission; and Pennsylvania Humanities Council.

The video is available from Penn State Media Sales. For details, telephone toll-free: 1-800-770-2111, or order online at MediaSales.psu.edu.

CONTACT: Terry Brady

(717) 772-9101

Source: Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

CONTACT: Terry Brady, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources,
+1-717-772-9101

Web site: http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/

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