Covered bridge in the works for Roaring Run trail

The Roaring Run Watershed Association is turning a narrow bridge into an opportunity to enhance the beauty of the 5-mile Roaring Run recreational trail: The association plans to build a covered bridge to augment a former railroad bridge.

About 1.5 miles from the trailhead in Kiski Township off Canal Road, the bridge spans Roaring Run just before its confluence with the Kiski River and near the entrance of Rock Furnace Trail.

It’s narrow for a trail truck towing a lawn mower. New decking is needed for the otherwise-sturdy bridge, which carried train traffic decades ago, according to association board members.

“We had to repair and make the bridge wider, so we thought, ‘Let’s make something nice, a showpiece, something people want to see,’ ” said Ken Kaminski of Allegheny Township, president of the watershed association’s board.

The project will cost $5,000, with the association providing the labor, he said. The association plans to buy rough-cut hemlock from the Amish in Indiana County and materials for a metal roof.

A fundraising effort is planned for the project, selling plaques inscribed for a memorial or another dedication.

The plaques are $500 apiece. They will be mounted inside the bridge above the eight windows and two entrances. Two plaques already are taken; eight remain for sale. The association also is looking for volunteer carpenters for the project.

Donors and volunteers are asked to call the watershed association at 724-681-6317.

One of the board members, Tim Troup of Kiski Township, is a cabinetmaker and a wood artisan. He designed the rustic-style covered bridge.

“I’m thinking it could be a great place for pictures and will be an attraction,” he said.

Aside from the eight windows, the bridge design isn’t based on any particular architectural style. The new span will be 34 feet long and about 12 feet wide — roomier than the current 8-foot width.

“It’s going to be your typical covered bridge,” Troup said.

The section of trail at the confluence of the Kiski and Roaring Run will be closed for up to two weeks for construction.

A date for the project hasn’t been set yet as the board is still raising money, and a delivery date for the lumber hasn’t been set.

Details on the trail closure will be announced on Roaring Run’s Facebook page.