WELCOME
TO THE SOUTH YUBA RIVER STATE PARK
Sierra Gold Parks Foundation
Bridgeport Covered Bridge Rehabilitation & Restoration
Bridgeport Covered Bridge Rehabilitation & Restoration
RECAP: April 2021
Submitted by John Field
Work and progress continued at a very efficient pace in the month of April. Most of the carpenters worked six - ten-hour days per week performing various larger tasks together and in separate groups for smaller tasks simultaneously.
Some of the completed highlights consisted of (but not limited to) the completion of the top chords and the drilling for the truss rods; Arch buckets (or thrust pads) for the arch ends at each abutment were installed and secured to the pilaster rebar; The template was created for all the arch segments, and many of the arch segments were milled on site by the carpenters using very large circular power saws and hand planes. All of the truss rods were installed including the re-installation of the eight “chosen” original Wrought Iron rods with “Maker’s Marks.”
As a special note, the Chief Carpenter and Bridgewright, Tim Andrews had this to say: “The first round of tightening the truss rods, and tuning (sounding) the main and counter braces is completed. We began the tightening/tuning operation starting from mid-span and progressed towards the abutments, while working in unison from mid-span to abutments, tightening panel points 13 and 15 at the same time, etc. We measured the amount of camber prior to the start of the tightening/tuning operation and after completion of the same. An increase of one inch of camber at midspan was developed and recorded. By definition, we have "trussed" the bridge by tightening the truss rods. The development of additional camber through the tightening/tuning process is proof positive that any "slop" that might have been present during the fit up of the main and counter brace, has been removed. Both the main and counter braces "sing" as they should when struck with a wooden mallet. Moderate pressure was applied using 3-foot-long wrenches to tighten the truss rods.”
The second round of truss rod tightening/tuning will be done 14 days from the completion of the first round allowing for settling and relaxation of the trusses and chord components.
In addition to the busy April schedule, steel channels and gusset plates were installed on the upper chords which will accommodate the chord bracing of the upper chords together from side to side by means of steel “X-Bracing”. Finally, the concrete forms for the pilasters and the portal approach curbs were built.
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 April 2021 folder found on this website by clicking on the Ongoing Progress Photos and Videos button directly below this text.
Month 23 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.
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...
To see the April, part 1, bridge progress video, click on the image below.
To see the April, 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.