Project Updates
June 12, 2019
HISTORIC COVERED BRIDGE RESTORATION HAS BEGUN
Mobilization by Spectra Contractors of Pomona, California, have begun installing fencing, office trailers and equipment in preparation for a major renovation of the historic covered bridge at South Yuba River State ParkBridgeport in Penn Valley, California.
Built in 1862, the bridge has undergone other renovations and repairs with this being a major undertaking. Once the project is completed, expected in the fall of 2020, it will be eighteen inches higher with new shingles, sidings, floor planking, interior trusses and steel tension rods.
Progress photos will develop on a daily basis with eventual aerial drone coverage and You Tube stories at this page(See Restoration Progress - June, 2019).
The South parking lot is closed during the project, however the North parking remains available for public use.
The Visitor Center, Barn and Gas Station will remain open as well as weekend gold panning and beach access.
For more information, please call 530-432-2546.
January 7, 2019
The reconstruction project on the Bridgeport Covered Bridge is moving forward. A construction contract was awarded to Spectra Company in the fall of 2018. The total project cost is $6.9 million. Spectra Company will begin mobilizing materials and equipment this spring in preparation of starting construction in late spring or early summer, once water levels are safe. Construction is expected to be completed by the end of 2019.
A new website has been created by DPR staff for the Project. It is quite extensive and has a lot of the plans, history, drawings and reports related to the Project. It is available for anyone to access.
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...
Restoration Ongoing Progress
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 the March, part 1, bridge progress video, click on the image below.
To see the March, part 2, bridge progress video, click on the image below.
To see the February, part 1, bridge progress video, click on the image below.
To see the February, part 2, bridge progress video, click on the image below.
To see the January bridge progress video, click on the image below.
To see the December bridge progress video, click on the image below.
To see the November bridge progress video, click on the image below.
To see part 1 of October bridge progress video, click on the image below.
To see part 2 of October bridge progress video, click on the image below.
To see September bridge progress video, click on the image below.
To see August bridge progress video, click on the image below.
To see July bridge progress video part 1 of 2, click on the image below.
To see July bridge progress video part 2 of 2, click on the image below.
To see June bridge progress video part 1 of 2, click on the image below.
To see June bridge progress video part 2 of 2, click on the image below.
To see May bridge progress video, click on the image below.
To see April bridge progress video part 1 of 2, click on the image below.
To see April bridge progress video part 2 of 2, click on the image below.
To see March bridge progress, click on the image below.
To see February bridge progress, click on the image below.
To see January bridge progress, click on the image below.
To see a 7-minute video on construction of the (stabilization) cradles in 2014, click on the image below.
To see a short summary of the progress made in 2019, click on the image below.
To see a video of the December bridge restoration progress, click on the image below.
To see a video of the November bridge restoration progress, click on the image below.
To see a video of the October bridge restoration progress, click on the image below.
To see a video of the September bridge restoration progress, click on the image below.
To see a video of the August bridge restoration progress, click on the image below.
To see a video of the July 1 to 31 bridge restoration progress, click on the image below.
To see a video of the June 12 to 28 bridge restoration progress, click on the image below.
Preparation For Bridge Restoration - April, 2015
Phase2 - Stabilization Photos...
Phase 1 Bridge Stabilization - September, 2014
PLEASE NOTE: EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT INDICATED OTHERWISE, ALL RIGHTS, TITLE AND INTEREST, INCLUDING COPYRIGHT, IN AND TO ALL PHOTOS, VIDEOS AND OTHER MEDIA CONTENT FOUND ON THIS PART OF THIS WEBSITE CREATED BY STATE PARKS’ VOLUNTEERS OR STATE PARKS’ STAFF BELONG TO THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION.