Bridgeport Covered Bridge project update

By: Save Our Bridge Committee

Dear Friends,

The New Year finds our historic Covered Wooden Bridge at Bridgeport undergoing some dramatic changes. Due to anchoring issues earlier in the project and rain delays in December, the stabilization work (Phase I of construction) is about a month behind schedule. Starting this week the iron framework that will “cradle” the bridge will be going up and be finished by the end of January. This stabilization will protect the Bridge, prevent further deterioration and ready it for the next phase of work which is Phase II.

REPAIR AND RESTORATION (Phase II)

The California Department of Parks and Recreation reports that all of the expenditures for the initial work necessary to start Repair and Restoration Project (Phase II) have been made.  This work entails developing preliminary plans, design and assessments. The scope of work has been developed, contracts have been awarded and work orders have been submitted to companies that include structural and geotechnical engineers, schematic design, wood, and historical assessment firms. These companies are waiting for the stabilization project to be completed so that they may access the bridge to begin their work.

The firms will then study, assess, test, and in some cases, remove parts of the bridge for more detailed analysis to determine the extent of damage and the repairs and restoration work necessary. This step of the project is expected to be completed by June 2015. This assessment, planning and design work are critical to get right before starting the extensive permitting process necessary for such a historical structure.  This assessment will also more accurately determine the expected costs to complete the project.

WE WILL STAY VIGILANT

The Save Our Bridge Campaign Committee will continue to meet regularly and monitor the progress of the project.  We will stay in close contact with the California State Parks staff responsible for saving the longest single-span wood covered bridge left in the world.

“SYRCL will continue to participate in the Save Our Bridge Committee and will continue to communicate the progress of the project to our members and supporters. We will send an action alert if there is any issue with the project that needs the community’s attention,” said Caleb Dardick, SYRCL Executive Director.

Thank You for your continued support and commitment over the last year and a half that has energized the State to take on this worthwhile endeavor. Together we will Save Our Bridge.