WELCOME
TO THE SOUTH YUBA RIVER STATE PARK
Sierra Gold Parks Foundation
Bridgeport Covered Bridge Rehabilitation & Restoration
Bridgeport Covered Bridge Rehabilitation & Restoration
RECAP: August 2021
Submitted by John Field
STRUCTURAL WORK HAS BEEN COMPLETED
At sunset on August 31, 2021, Spectra Historic Construction completed their final cleanup and demobilization of the construction site at South Yuba River State Park-Bridgeport. The month of August was packed with great accomplishments and adversities. The adversities were attributed to the severe smoke pollution caused by several fires in Northern California. There were a few days when the air quality index was so severe that the carpenters were forced to suspend work. Progress forged ahead (despite the delays) to complete the entire structural construction of the wooden bridge. To enhance the occasion, the carpenters enjoyed a century-old tradition to celebrate completion of the timber structure by attaching a softwood bough to the rafter top and baptize the same with rum. One of the more well-known timber traditions involves nailing a bough or small evergreen tree to the highest point of the timber frame. The celebration is known as “Topping Out” with a “Wetting Bush”.
(Photos of the carpenters atop the highest point in celebration are available within both our YouTube and Progress Photos and Videos Folders.)
Hardscape and Landscape work consisted of the addition of ADA parking spaces, security bollards, safety rails at each portal, smoothing and compaction of the portal approaches, and removal of the construction fencing. The only remaining task is the installation of the roof shakes by a roofing contractor.
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 August 2021 folder found on this website by clicking on the Ongoing Progress Photos and Videos button directly below this text.
Month 27 Completed.
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The many photos and videos available will give you a complete tour of the process including Monthly YouTube recap presentations created as a compilation (by Herb Lindberg) of the ongoing photos and videos.
Also, Monthly Slide Shows compiled from all the monthly progress photos and videos are available. Below, you will see various buttons to click on to access your choice of monthly YouTube Recaps, monthly Slide Shows, and separate monthly Folders including activities dating back to June of 2019. Also, photos and videos of the current month’s activities are shown below the monthly folders. Comments and descriptions accompany the photos and videos as usual.
Special thanks go out to Bridgewright Will Truax and Inspector John Rebenstorff for their contributions to our archival collection of photos and videos throughout the entire project.
We will continue to update through completion of the roofing project ...
Be Safe and Stay Well...
Ongoing Progress Photos/Videos...
Monthly Progress Slideshows...
YouTube Monthly Recap Videos...
To see the August 2021, part 1, bridge progress video, click on the image below.
To see the August 2021, 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
The Crew
The Restoration and Rehabilitation of the Longest, Single Span, Wooden, Covered Bridge left on earth was performed by this talented group of Bridgewrights, Timber Framers, Carpenters.
Pictured from the left:
Luis Jesus Trejo Olvera, Jeff Purcell, Drew McGuire, Stephen Kemmett, Kaipo Covert, Manuel Leyva, Braulio De La Torre, Will Truax (kneeling), Tim Brennen, Tim Andrews, Joseph (Buddy) Covert, Edgar A. Arce, Adrian Miranda, Tim Wells.
Not pictured:
Jack Via, Issac McCoy, Chris Kohen.
Photo_John Field
Current Events
The Bridgeport Covered Bridge Structural Construction is Completed Roof Shakes remain as the only unfinished item
With the structural work on the bridge now completed, a century-old tradition referred to as “Topping Out” with a “Wetting Bush” is to celebrate completion of the timber structure by attaching a softwood bough to the rafter top and baptize the same with rum. One of the more well-known timber traditions involves nailing a bough or small evergreen tree to the highest point of the timber frame.
The ritual serves two purposes:
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.