Skew Arch Bridge, Stone railway bridge in Reading, Pennsylvania.
Skew Arch Bridge is a stone railway structure crossing Sixth Street at an angle near Woodward Street. The design features a main arch carrying the railroad tracks with secondary arches spanning the sidewalk areas on either side of the street.
The bridge was completed in 1857 under engineer Richard Osborne's design using locally quarried brownstone arranged in elliptical curves. This construction marked an important moment in the railroad expansion that connected Reading to broader transportation networks.
The bridge takes its nickname from a local practice where construction workers received payment partly in soap and whiskey rather than money. This payment method reflects the economic conditions of the era and remains part of the structure's local identity.
The bridge sits over Sixth Street and is easily visible from nearby Woodward Street for visitors exploring the area. Since Norfolk Southern Railway operates the active tracks, viewing is best done from street level while maintaining safe distance from the rail corridor.
The bridge has no keystone in its arch, an unusual feature that results from the specific angular design accommodating the angled rail crossing pattern. This structural choice sets it apart from typical arch bridges of the same period.
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