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This Old Bridge

This Old Bridge

This Old Bridge

(OP)
I was vacationing with my family in my child hood town last summer. During the vacation, the town held a duck derby which involved several hundred ducks floating down a river to a finish line. A crowd of participants gathered on a very old, outdated and crudely constructed bridge. As I stood there watching I could see the bridge deflect and bounce and told my family to get off.

The bridge spans about 30' and consists of 2 hefty log girders (12-14" diameter) running parallel (spaced approx 3'). The decking is nailed across these logs. The girders are buried in the ground on either end and are untreated. The bridge guard is constructed of 2x4's that appear to have been a temporary solution that became permanent. In short, the bridge is in dire need of a good inspection and retrofit. The bridge was in existence when I was a child and caught my attention during the duck event. I am concerned about the saftey of the bridge, especially considering that the town holds nearly every "main event" in the park that the bridge services. The climate where the bridge lives can be considered as "severe", as winter exists there for a majority of the year.

I wanted to bring this up to the town and was wondering the best way to approach it. One of my past colleagues said that a bridge redo would most likely involve the Army Corps of Engineers. The stories I have heard about dealing with them usually involve long discussions of pain and grief.

Does anyone know an architect or planner with experience in Colorado with municipalities, bridges, fund raising and the Army Corps of Engineers?

RE: This Old Bridge

I believe your immediate duty is to warn the town that they have a problem. Sorting out the details can come later.

BA

RE: This Old Bridge

I agree, and put your concerns in writing as a professional engineer... if not structural.

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
http://mmcengineering.tripod.com

RE: This Old Bridge

Dealing with the COE is not always painful. If there are no major environmental issues, things should go well. You're more likely to get grief from people who love the log bridge.

RE: This Old Bridge

unless you are actually working in the river (excavating or placing fill), you may not need a permit from the USACE. Regardless, for a project this small I would not expect it to be a big deal.

RE: This Old Bridge

Write your letter and let someone else sort out the details. you have told enough people on here now that if something happens, they will say 'Well BigMig knew about it but didnt tell us, just every other engineer"

RE: This Old Bridge

Bigmig, I know someone in Colorado who might be able to help. I can't figure out how to email it to you, so how do I get it to you?

RE: This Old Bridge

Are you giving them a report or something to go with you concerns? I would think a friendly letter would get the burden off your back.

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