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The Bridge Across
Millinocket Stream
Jim Barnes - In memory of.........
Each base took approximately 8 ½ yards
of cement, which was generously donated by Jeff Goding
of Goding Cement Company.
On August 31st the forms
were stripped off and the area around the bases were
backfilled with the use of the donated backhoes. It was
then that a 60 ton crane donated by Cianbro and a 40
ton crane donated by the Ensor Construction Company
lifted and placed the 18,000 lb. Beams across the
stream and onto the base plates. Many thanks went to
Jim Owens of ENSR and Dave Whitehead and Tom Luckern of
Cianbro on that September 12th.
When the beams were put into place, Phil Grass and his
welding crew of Tom Picard, Steve Nicholson, Jimmy
Moore, Leo Bouchard, Willey McLeod, and Charlie Tapley
took over and went to work under Jim’s supervision.
Every 15 feet H beam was welded into place for the
stays and was doubled up on each end of the 126 foot
structure. Next, ½ inch x 3-inch angle iron was used as
cross bracing every 20 feet in between the H Beam. All
were placed in between the 36 inch I beam 5 feet 8
inches on center. Next ½ inch x 1 inch pieces of pipe
were cut and welded every 8 inches on the outside of
each beam to provide for securing the decking to the I
beam. Five hundred and four of these pieces were
needed.
The
placement of the decking on the bridge was the next
step. On September 28th the decking in of
th4e bridge commenced and took two days to complete.
Two hundred fifty two pieces of hemlock planking 3
inches by 6 inches x 10 feet in length was used for the
decking of the bridge.
The hemlock planks were drilled on each end and secured
to the I beams by fastening with ½ inch x 5-inch
carriage bolts. N.H Braggs donated Five hundred and
four carriage bolts for this purpose. Kick plates were
secured on each outside edge of the bridge. These were
made up of 24 pieces of pressure treated lumber 2
inches x 8 inches x 16 feet and were donated by
Levasseurs Hardware.
On October 6th the
removable ramps were put into place on each side of the
bridge.
The ramps are 20 feet in length x
20 feet in width and are also decked
in with hemlock. These ramps will be removed each
spring as to restrict unwanted vehicle traffic. On
October 19th heavy belted rubber was place
over the area of the bridge where the lags from the
Tucker would meet to prevent wear of the bridge
decking. Railing supports and mounting hardware as well
as 5/8 cable covered with rubber were installed to
provide for a safety railing. Seeding of the stream
banks near the bridge was done as well as covering it
with hay to prevent any soil erosion.
The total length of the bridge
is 166 feet, which includes the ramps. It is rated for
a weight of 10 tons. Total estimated costs would have
been well over $25,000 if the bridge had been
constructed by a contractor.
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