Kinzua Bridge Skywalk temporarily closed for assessment
- by Guest Contributor
- June 22, 2023
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EDITOR’S NOTE: The Skywalk at Kinzua Bridge State Park was quickly reopened on June 23, 2023, after the temporary closure for its assessment. Visitors may now enjoy the Skywalk as usual. Be aware, inclement weather can still cause the Skywalk to temporarily close. Especially in times of inclement weather, call ahead to check operations.
Advisory from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) announced it is temporarily closing the Skywalk at Kinzua Bridge State Park in McKean County to evaluate the structure to ensure it remains safe after the impacts of recent high winds.
The skywalk will remain closed until the results of the evaluation determine the bridge remains safe for visitors. Weather permitting, the assessment is set for Thursday, June 22, and is being conducted as a part of an inspection schedule leading up to structural and rehabilitation work of the skywalk in 2024.
As part of the routine operational procedures, there are set guidelines for when severe weather, such as high winds, which result in an assessment outside the routine inspection schedule. These assessments ensure that there has been no visible effect on the structural integrity of the skywalk, allowing for continued safe pedestrian traffic.
The Kinzua skywalk undergoes routine structural inspections by qualified engineers to evaluate the overall condition of the structure that was built over 100 years ago. These comprehensive inspections provide for both short- and long-term routine maintenance planning that will ensure the structure continues to remain safe for the heavy volume of pedestrian traffic that flock to see this iconic cultural remnant of the industrial age.
While the skywalk will be closed for this temporary situation, the park’s Visitor Center remains open. This includes the PA Wilds Conservation Shop and the exhibit areas inside the Visitor Center building.
Other park facilities, including day use areas and park trails, are available to provide spectacular views of the skywalk, including the Mount Jewett To Kinzua Bridge Trail that ends at Kinzua Bridge State Park, which was was recently named Pennsylvania’s 2023 Trail of the Year.
DCNR is working to ensure the assessment, evaluation and necessary actions are completed in efficiently to minimize the impact to operations. For updates, please Kinzua Bridge State Park’s website for advisories that will provide updates on the temporary closure.
EDITOR’S NOTE: The Skywalk at Kinzua Bridge State Park was quickly reopened on June 23, 2023, after the temporary closure for its assessment. Visitors may now enjoy the Skywalk as usual. Be aware, inclement weather can still cause the Skywalk to temporarily close. Especially in times of inclement weather, call ahead to check operations.
About DCNR:
Established on July 1, 1995, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) is charged with maintaining and protecting 121 state parks; managing 2.2 million acres of state forest land; providing information on the state’s ecological and geologic resources; and establishing community conservation partnerships with grants and technical assistance to benefit rivers, trails, greenways, local parks and recreation, regional heritage parks, open space, and natural areas. DCNR’s mission is to conserve and sustain Pennsylvania’s natural resources for present and future generations’ use and enjoyment. Learn more at DCNR.pa.gov.
