December 23, 2016
Walsh/Granite JV project team members joined the Historical Association of Tobyhanna Township, Monroe County, in a small ceremony to rename the recently reopened Route 940 Bridge.
The Historical Association of Tobyhanna Township requested the new bridge be named after General John Sullivan and his historic journey through the Township during the Revolutionary War. General Sullivan's troops assisted in stopping the invasion of the British coming from New York into Wilkes Barre, PA.
Under General Sullivan's leadership, two regiments of 500 military road builders accomplished the task of building a road to accommodate the Colonial troops in just six weeks, from Tannersville to Wilkes-Barre. The worst section, known as the Great Swamp, was located in today's Tobyhanna Township. The only bridge they needed to construct for the new road was over the Tobyhanna Creek. It was immediately named Sullivan Bridge by the construction army but through the years, that name was lost.
Sullivan's Expedition was a great success in stopping the British invasion into Pennsylvania, contributing significantly to the birth of a new nation. In addition, Sullivan's Trail opened the region to settlement and development by connecting northeastern Pennsylvania and Upstate New York to the Philadelphia area and its port.
The “Sullivan” bridge, which reopened to traffic on December 8, continues to significantly serve the region. Route 940 provides a great deal of access to western Monroe County and beyond. It also serves as a major alternative to I-80 in cases of emergencies on the heavily traveled interstate highway. With its location at the center of recreational tourism in the Poconos, Sullivan Bridge allows thousands to enjoy area streams and lakes, forests, and all that abounds in the area.
Walsh/Granite JV Public Information Coordinator, Rory McGlasson (center), joins local elected officials and members of the Historical Association of Tobyhanna Township at a renaming ceremony of Route 940 “Sullivan” bridge in Tobyhanna, Monroe County on Wednesday, December 21, 2016. From left to right: John Jablowski, Tobyhanna Township Manager; Heidi Pickard, Township Supervisor; Senator Mario Scavello, Rick Bodenschatz, Rory McGlasson, Mercedes Lehigh, State Representative Jack Rader and Ruth Bodenschatz.