This is Bridge 17 2nd upstream on Abrams Creek which empties into the Holston River just above the recently completed large river bridge. It is 83 feet long. We completed decking it in two days, posts and rails were completed in two more days. We are getting efficient. Bridge 3 took weeks to get decked and railed. So far we have completed Bridges 1,3,4 19, with 2 bypassed and 18 being worked on currently. All but one of the remaining bridges are short 16 to 70'. We will open 17 to the north end of the trail at Mendota in October.
There is a certain kind of enjoyment in doing repetitive work. Big jobs are daunting at first, but once you get into it, make a plan and as you refine the process, remove the wasted time and effort, get a good flow going, and see the uniform tidy results being accomplished. A good efficient system and work getting done is a beautiful thing to be a part of. I always enjoyed production work, never on a scale like your bridges, so I can only image how you must feel being a part of this huge project.
We have found a crew of 3 is ideal. The bridges are now accurately laid out so that parts can be mass produced to the same length and screwed in place like a bridge kit. 40 pieces are taken from the forks of a fork lift, moved to chop saw, sawed and loaded on a cart. Cart is wheeled down the decked part of the bridge along with a tool cart. Two people position lumber and the 3rd tacks it down. Whoever is not doing something useful goes to installing the remaining screws. Jigs locate the screw holes for the rails. Mass produced 1" x 1" Masonite spacers are installed to space the gap in deck boards. ETC. We have reduced the labor cost of decking and railing to 1/3 historical. We remain stuck with the cost of repairing trestles where they have rotted at the creek level.
Can scarcely believe what I’m reading and seeing!! I am counting 7 or 8 bridges done from scratch by a bunch of determined and resourceful people, in a period when lumber was thru the roof! Plus redoing the engineering specifications!
Just absolutely phenomenal. Would love to see a map locating these bridges, but maybe you’re trying not to advertise, at least until they’re all finished.
I especially like that orange safety net at the end ...must make it a challenge for the bikers to jump over...as well as pedestrians...unless of course they can scoot under...LOL
