Abandoned “Art Bridge” railroad trestle catches fire in Rochester

Story by Curtis Walsh – Beaver County Radio News Director with contributions by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio News Correspondent. Published June 7, 2023 6:55 A.M.   

(Rochester Township, PA) Fire crews responded Tuesday to an abandoned railroad trestle in the woods of Rochester Township. The large trestle that stands approximately 100 feet high had been commonly referred to as the “art bridge”, due to the amount of artwork that had been painted on the bridge by explorers over the years.
Fire reports came in shortly after 7pm Tuesday. Crews appeared to have it under control by around 8:30pm. Flames and smoke could be seen coming from a section of the trestle.
The trestle formerly served as part of the former railroad lines that ran between New Brighton and Rochester. The property is owned by Pennsylvania Lines and Norfolk Southern.
UPDATE 6/7/23 10:46am: Beaver County 9-1-1 reported that crews were called to  Cleveland Street at the site of a railroad trestle in the township at 7:15 p.m. Tuesday night. Upon arrival, they realized that there was a brush fire on a trestle behind Sherwin Williams. No injuries were reported. Norfolk Southern Railroad was notified, and they have not returned a request for comment.
Additional photos/video of the fire: