Under my hat: The new graffiti Mecca

For many years, Graffiti Highway in Centralia was the place for self expression by street artists. It was a section of Route 61 lost due to an underground mine fire. It eventually became a magnet for spray paint enthusiasts. Then, four years ago, property owners covered the road with dirt and closed it to the public. The problem wasn’t necessarily graffiti, but accompanying vandalism and littering which had gotten out of hand. However, it didn’t take long for graffiti artists to find a new mecca. Abandoned West Shore Drive Bridge in Maidencreek Township near Shoemakersville is their new haven. I decided to check out the Berks County site a few weeks ago before the snow storms hit. It’s a place steeped in history. The bridge was built in 1927 by Reading City Bureau of Water as part of Ontelaunee Reservoir. The three-span, open spandrel arch structure is made of concrete and is 403 feet long. For decades it functioned as Pennsylvania Route 1003, carrying traffic on two lanes over a section of the water. For whatever reason, it was allowed to deteriorate. It’s been closed to traffic since the 1990s, mostly due to deck and flooring issues. The arches themselves...