poland.030623

Work Resumes on Poland Bridge [WGN 45-08-02]. Poland Bridge Photo by Joe Nelson, June 23, 2003 June 23, 2003 - The rehabilitation of George Washington Holmes' arch bridge has begun. The first step in the process has been to sink pilings into the bottom of the Lamoille River to support the old span while critical work is done--that of overhauling the trusses and restoring the camber lost over the years. Currently, the bridge is sagging about 18 inches. Restoration requires that the trusses be tightened up for a healthy camber of plus 12 inches, raising the center of the sagging 140-foot span approximately 30 inches.        The contractor, Alpine Construction of Stillwater, NY, opted to rehabilitate the bridge over the river using scaffolding rather than lifting the bridge off its abutments and doing the work off river. The plan to put scaffolding under the bridge required that supporting pilings be driven. Much to everyone's surprise, the pilings had to be driven some 140 feet into the river bottom to find bedrock.        The rehabilitation plan requires that the bridge will support light automobile traffic, and that the historic fabric of the trusses will be retained to the greatest extent possible. There will be a new roof, siding, and deck. Curb timbers will leave walking space for pedestrians on both sides of the roadway.        For a history of the bridge and the work done to save it, visit "Stabilization Work Complete" and "2nd Phase Planning to Begin" in the Lamoille County section of the Archives Page of this website. Also see "Historic Bridge Committee Minutes" on the Covered Bridge Preservation page. Poland Bridge Photo by Joe Nelson, June 14, 2003 Poland Bridge Photo by Joe Nelson, June 23, 2003

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