WELCOME
TO THE SOUTH YUBA RIVER STATE PARK
Sierra Gold Parks Foundation
Bridgeport Covered Bridge Rehabilitation & Restoration
Submitted by John Field
The Restoration and Rehabilitation of the Bridgeport 'Covered' Bridge
was completed as of
The Restoration and Rehabilitation of the Bridgeport 'Covered' Bridge
was completed as of
October 29, 2021.
The Bridgeport Covered Bridge is the Longest, Single Span, Covered, Wooden Bridge
in the World.
A red ribbon cutting reopening ceremony was held on November 4, 2021
* The new button below entitled “Bridge Reopening-Nov. 4, 2021”
, will lead you to photos
and videos submitted by various contributors of that momentous occasion. *
***
A Special YouTube Recap condensing the 28-month long project into 44 minutes has been posted below by clicking on the photo of Master Bridgewright Tim Andrews seated on the bottom chords of the bridge while being restored. The special recap will remain indefinitely on this home page.
All 28 months of the installation process can be accessed by clicking on the Ongoing Progress Photos and Videos button below this text. There you can access Monthly Folders of the individual Photos and Videos posted each month, Monthly YouTube Recaps, and Monthly Progress Slide Shows.
It has been a rewarding and educational experience capturing and producing the media documentation effort over the course of the historic restoration and rehabilitation project. I would like to extend my special thanks and appreciation to the following contributors: Shirley and Doug Moon, Robert Coats, Herb Lindberg, Dave Arstein, John Thompson, Janet Peters, Steve Berry, Fred Claessens, Denise Jaffke, Marc Wetherbee, Will Truax, Michael Baca, John Rebenstorff and Tim Andrews.
To see the new-roof and bridge sendoff video, click on the image below.
Bridge Reopening-Nov. 4, 2021...
Ongoing Progress Photos/Videos...
Monthly Progress Slideshows...
YouTube Monthly Recap Videos...
To see complete documentation regarding the bridge restoration project, click the link below.
Complete Bridge Documentation Information...
RECAP: SPECIAL
We would like to point your attention to the synopsis of the restoration process of the covered bridge in video form.
Our editor, Herb Lindberg went to great lengths to condense twenty-eight months into forty-five-minutes as another way to archive the great achievements accomplished by the talented Bridgewrights, Timber Framers and Carpenters throughout the project.
The video entitled “The Restoration of the Covered Bridge at Bridgeport, Ca.-Full” is available below. We hope you enjoy it.
To see the special recap video, click on the image 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
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.