Building a bridge
Bill Tindall, E.Tn.
What has started may be the largest most expenisve project every posted on WoodCentral, reconstruction of a 273' ridge over the Holston River to become a bike/hike path.
145 replacement ties arrive from Michigan. Bridge ties that go on steel bridges are a unique size- 10' x 8" x10".
Step 1 is to remove the old ties and paint the surfaces that will be covered by the ties with bridge paint, a two part epoxy loaded with aluminum- $86 a gallon. We don't have the money to paint the whole bridge at this time, cost estimate $200,000.
Step 2 is to put a partial deck on this section. This step is in suspension because the lumber has not been delivered.
At the side is a pedestrian suspension bridge, a relic of a past era. Decades ago the Virginia Department of Transportation put pedestrian bridges over this river in many places to enable land owners to access their cabins on the other side. VDOT is committed to maintain these bridges so long as someone says they need them. We hope to keep this bridge functional as a part of the Trail. Many others have been abandoned.
