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    The concrete work is complete, our temporary steel structure has been installed underneath the covered bridge and now supports it. The Mabey bridge (similar to a Baily bridge) was launched into place beside it a few weeks ago and the detour is open to traffic. We are the traffic because there is only one seasonal home on the other side of the bridge.
    Cable x-bracing was installed inside - 1), to take the 8-inch rack out of the east end, and 2) to hold it in check while we reconstruct it. The old siding which was dryrotted and unsalvagable has been removed. The green steel beams are gone, as is the old deck. We'll be lifting the old girl a little over a foot for our own access in order to reach the future curb nuts underneath.
    In your photos of the upstream side, notice a few of the remaining horizontal timbers sticking out perpendicular to the bridge. These were bolted through the lower chords with old rods, ogee washers, and square nuts which went to the local historical society. I was told they supported an exterior walkway and that there are pics around that show it. I haven't seen the pics, but will send them if I run across them.
    Thanks for detailing our progress on the reconstruction. - Jim Ligon

Hutchins Bridge east portal and the Mabey bridge. Photos by Joe Nelson, June 3, 2009

Rotted east end-post and chordend at east end of the south truss.

Rotted end-post and choerd end at the east end of the north truss.

Cable x-bracing is installed inside to take the 8-inch rack out of the east end of the bridge.

Rotted secondary upper chord in the south truss.

Rotted upper chords near the middle of the south truss, the price of not maintaining the roofing.

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