The "The Newly Opened Safe Harbor Trestle Bridge - Part I" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Trying to find the best way for my wife, Carol, and I, to get a chance to see and perhaps use the newly opened Safe Harbor Trestle Bridge.  I found a bit of information about the bridge and have copied and pasted the information in today's story so you too may be able to get a chance to walk the trail and enjoy the views of the Susquehanna River.  I have included an overview in case you may want to read a bit as well as take a guided tour of the petroglyphs that fill the river.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

Overview

The newly opened (June 2022) Safe Harbor Trestle Bridge is worth every penny of the $9 million, offering stunning views of the Susquehanna, Safe Harbor dam, Columbia and Port Deposit Railroad, York County, and the petroglyph covered rocks of Big Indian Rock and Little Indian Rock.

The bridge was built in 1905 for the Atglen and Susquehanna Branch (also known as the “Low Grade Branch”‘) of the Pennsylvania Railroad and constructed to hold two fully loaded trains, including an upper and lower deck. For almost a century, the bridge served as a critical component for economic development in the region. It was abandoned in 1988. The last train to cross it was on December 19, 1989. The upper tracks were removed in 1990. Manor Township acquired the bridge in 2012.

Here are some fun facts about the bridge and project:

• Third highest trestle bridge in the U.S.
• Second longest trestle bridge in Pennsylvania.
• 150 feet high and 1,560 feet long.
• Total project cost: $9 million.
• Required 2,170 tons of concrete
• Restoration began in February 2015.
• Restoration completed in June 2022.

Access the Trestle

I have received many questions asking how to access the Safe Harbor Bridge Trestle. As I see it, you have four options. I have listed them below from shortest to longest. Happy adventuring!

Safe Harbor
Approximately .25 miles one way to the trestle

There is limited parking almost directly below the trestle. Here are the GPS coordinates: 39.926091, -76.383980. There is plenty of additional parking at the Safe Harbor park that you drove through as you approached the trestle. The address is 101 Safe Harbor Rd, Conestoga, PA 17516.

As you approach the bridge that crosses the Conestoga River and enters the Safe Harbor dam parking area, you will see a guard house on your left. There is a trail that goes up the side of the hill. There is a “No Trespassing” sign, but that is referring to the nearby train tracks and not the trail. While this is the shortest hike, it is also the steepest. You are traveling the full height of the trestle to access the trail on the Conestoga Township side of the bridge.

Safe Harbor Dam on left with new trail on right.

Learn More

Side Quest: How to Access the Martic Forge Trestle

Martic Forge Trestle

It has been more than four years since an arsonist destroyed the Martic Forge Trestle on Thursday, April 12, 2018. But like a literal phoenix rising from the ashes, the 1905 structure has been returned to its former glory and is ready to ferry passengers between Conestoga and Martic Townships. The newly opened (October 27, 2022) Martic Forge Trestle Bridge is worth every penny of the $3 million, offering stunning views of Pequea Creek and the surrounding River Hills.

A few people have asked how to best access the Martic Forge Trestle, which officially opened to the public a short time ago. Here are four easy options, listed from closest to furthest, Colemanville Church Road, Red Hill Road, Shenks Ferry, and Sigman Road Parking Lot. Click the link for full details and GPS locations.