poland.030818

Poland Bridge Restoration Progress [WGN 45-08-02]. August 18, 2003 - The new abutments are under construction. The new build features back-walls to separate the road-bed from the bridge seating platform. The original abutments allowed the road bed to contact the ends of the bottom chords causing rot.        The "face wall" of the new abutments will be fitted with steel brackets to receive the ends of the Burr arches, which will be restored to the bridge's original configuration. The steel brackets will isolate the wooden arch-ends from contact with the abutment where rot-inducing moisture can be picked up.        The problem of the "too-short" king post braces will be solved through the use of shims rather than replacing the braces, which are part of the historic fabric. The forms are set for new abutment cap and back- wall Photo by Joe Nelson, August 11, 2003 End of chord cut off to clear concrete forms. The bottom chords are to be replaced. Photo by Joe Nelson, August 18, 2003

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