November 2014

A joint Cumberland and York County Planning Commissions report reportedly recommended about $62,700 in repairs to extend the bridge’s life by 5 to 10 years, while maintaining a 10-ton weight restriction and anticipating eventual closure afterward. 

October 2017

A Gannett Fleming Preservation Assessment estimated about $800,000 to rehabilitate the bridge for a 15-ton limit, or about $2 million for replacement. The same discussion also included the option of closing the bridge and creating a gated emergency access road through Messiah College. 

December 4, 2017

Cumberland County commissioners’ minutes referenced a request for the Bishop Road Emergency Access Drive Project, showing the emergency-access alternative had moved into former county consideration by late 2017. 

January 3, 2018

According to Upper Allen’s June 4, 2025 minutes, the Cumberland County Finance Meeting approved $360,000 for construction of the emergency access road, with York County reimbursing 50%. The same summary states it was understood that no further funds would be allocated to Bishop Bridge repairs at that time. 

April 2021

Herbert, Rowland & Grubic (HRG) provided an updated estimate: about $900,000 for steel and stone repairs only, and about $2.2 million for full rehabilitation including contingency and engineering. The minutes also note traffic counts of about 217 daily trips on Bishop Bridge. 

July 2021

Following an inspection, Bishop Bridge was closed. The June 4, 2025 minutes say the estimated cost for substantial repairs to reopen it for extended use was about $2 million. At the same time, Township engineer C.S. Davidson estimated about $1 million for minimum necessary repairs and about $1.5 million for replacement. 

August 2021

The minutes state that Cumberland County initiated the process to remove Bishop Bridge. 

September 1, 2021

Upper Allen Township commissioners began discussing whether the Township should take possession of the bridge. 

January 8, 2025

Upper Allen’s Board formally considered whether to take ownership of Bishop Bridge from Cumberland County. A motion to accept ownership with conditions failed 2–2, and a motion to state the Township did not intend to take ownership also ended 2–2. The Board then passed a 3–1 motion to tell Cumberland County that it had not reached consensus and would provide further communication by February 20, 2025. 

May 7, 2025

During public comment, a resident asked about the status of Bishop Bridge and was told the topic would be revisited at the June 4, 2025 meeting. 

May 21, 2025

Commissioner Walsh gave a brief update stating Wrought Iron Bridge Works was awaiting PennDOT feedback and that, according to the minutes, the district bridge engineer had verbally agreed to a one-step rehabilitation process for vehicular use, with further information still pending. 

June 4, 2025

The Board again discussed the future of Bishop Bridge, with one commissioner describing it as a decision that had been “nearly 11 years in the making.” The meeting minutes also restated much of the bridge’s earlier timeline for the public record.