WELCOME
TO THE SOUTH YUBA RIVER STATE PARK
Sierra Gold Parks Foundation
NEWS RELEASE
A BRIDGEPORT BRIDGE RENOVATION MILESTONE!
A BRIDGEPORT BRIDGE RENOVATION MILESTONE!
On Monday May 24, the historical covered wood Bridge renovation project at Bridgeport in the South Yuba River State Park hit a major milestone! The Bridge was lowered from the supporting structure that has held it suspended over the south fork of the Yuba River for the past 20 months onto its own foundation. A major portion of the structural work has been completed and it is now time for the true test! Soon the major arch support, that is such a distinguishing aspect of the Bridge, will be installed along with the flooring and roof structure. Also, the temporary steel bridge support structure will soon be removed. Once the shake roof and siding are installed, we will all be able to see the Bridge very much like it was when first completed by David Wood back in 1862. This historical treasure, the longest single span wood covered Bridge in the world, will soon reopen to the public. We will all be able to experience crossing the Bridge over the Yuba as did the early pioneers and miners. We are all looking forward to the Grand Re-opening of the Bridge later this year.
Doug Moon
Chair – Save Our Bridge Campaign Committee
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Bridgeport Covered Bridge Rehabilitation & Restoration
Bridgeport Covered Bridge Rehabilitation & Restoration
RECAP: May 2021
Submitted by John Field
Since the above news release was issued on May 25, 2021, the first Arch Leaf (of four) was assembled and fit above the deck level on the East side. Earlier in the month many of the Roof Assemblies were fabricated and installed, the steel struts that reinforce the top Chords together on both sides were installed, and the second half of the Arch Buckets (the receptors of the Arches at their terminus) were bolted into place at both abutments. As we begin the third year of this monumental endeavor, progress will continue at an efficient pace as we near completion targeted for late Summer or early Fall of 2021.
This recap is a mere abbreviation of the work and complexities involved. For comprehensive detail, you can view the installation process in assorted Photo and Video formats in the May 2021 folder found on this website by clicking on the Ongoing Progress Photos and Videos button directly below this text.
Month 24 Completed.
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The many photos and videos available will give you a complete tour of the process along with monthly YouTube presentations created as a compilation (by Herb Lindberg) of the ongoing photos and videos.
A new feature: Monthly Slide Shows compiled from all the monthly progress photos and videos. Below, you will see a new button to click on to access your choice of monthly slide shows.
Special thanks go out to Bridgewright Will Truax and Inspector John Rebenstorff for their contributions to our archival collection of photos and videos.
We will continue to update monthly ... Please see the Ongoing Progress Photos and Videos by clicking on the button directly below where you will also find the many prior month’s folders consisting of progress photos and videos for you to view. The current month will be a running list of the most current photos and videos.
Comments and descriptions accompany the photos and videos as usual.
Be Safe and Stay Well...
Ongoing Progress Photos/Videos...
Monthly Progress Slideshows...
YouTube Monthly Recap Videos...
To see the May, part 1, bridge progress video, click on the image below.
To see the May, part 2, bridge progress video, click on the image below.
To see additional information regarding the bridge restoration project, click the link below.
Tucked away in scenic and historic Nevada County
South Yuba River State Park has a little something for everybody. The patchwork park boundaries form a “string of pearls” for 20 miles along the river, including four historic bridges, miles of hiking trails, and the nation´s only wheelchair-accessible wilderness trail, the Independence Trail. The river´s beauty and solitude has long inspired the dedication and stewardship of those who know it best.
Come discover the many faces of the South Yuba River.
Wander through the history of the Bridgeport Covered Bridge, learn more about the wagons that traveled these parts, pan for gold, escape to a hidden swimming hole, roam trails along the river surrounded by wildflowers, and so much more.
Save Our Bridge
Campaign to Save Our Bridge continues. The Bridge was stabilized in February 2015 with a temporary structure. Funding of $1.316 million was allocated in 2014 by the State towards the restoration of the bridge. All of your emails, faxes, letters and phone calls to Sacramento made that happen.
Most of 2015 was spent performing an in-depth assessment and preparing the engineering drawings needed to restore the Bridge. There was also a thorough analysis of the costs to fully restore the Bridge. This past year, 2016, was spent working on obtaining all of the necessary permits and environmental impact reports necessary to begin construction.
January 2017 delivered great news as Governor Brown has included the necessary $3.226 million to complete the project in the 2017-2018 State budget! Please follow the link below for the latest news.
We still need your support! Please continue to stay informed and involved in this project. Check this website for updates and respond to future “Action Alerts”, as we may need to communicate our positions on issues during the restoration with State Representatives. Together, we can Save Our Bridge.
Current Events
UPLIFTING NEWS ABOUT HISTORIC BRIDGEPORT BRIDGE PROJECT!
During these trying times the Save Our Bridge Campaign Committee wanted to share some “uplifting” news (pun intended!). The project to restore and re-open the historic covered wood Bridge crossing the South Yuba River at Bridgeport is back on track after a four month delay in construction.
THE SAVE OUR BRIDGE CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE AND SIERRA GOLD PARKS FOUNDATION SPONSOR NEVADA COUNTY SCHOOLS STUDENT ARTS COMPETITION.
The Save our Bridge Campaign Committee and the Sierra Gold Parks Foundation are pleased to sponsor this year’s Nevada County Schools’ Student art competition. The subject of the competition is “Flowing Through History -The Bridgeport Bridge Restoration Project”. This partnership with the Nevada County Schools Superintendent’s Office is a great opportunity for students throughout Nevada County to learn about the restoration of the iconic Bridge at Bridgeport, South Yuba River State Park and the significance this Bridge has in the history of California and Nevada County.
BRIDGE FUND-RAISING EVENT A BIG SUCCESS
LOCAL BUSINESSES RAISE FUNDS FOR HISTORIC BRIDGE
JOIN US FOR SPRING BIRD WALKS AT SOUTH YUBA RIVER STATE PARK
GEOLOGY WALKS
For more information contact South Yuba River State Park at (530) 432-2546.
HISTORIC COVERED BRIDGE RENOVATION and MALAKOFF SOLAR PROJECTS MOVE FORWARD
2020 WILDFLOWER WALKS
For more information contact South Yuba River State Park at (530) 432-2546.