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Photo Gallery

Bridge Restoration Update
The Boris Brothers and the Acrow Bridge
Contributed by Virginia Lawrence July 19, 2016

Supervisor Joe Boris for the Bridge Rehabilitation Project.
Photo Virginia Lawrence.  Click on photo to enlarge.
 
Master Carpenter John Boris standing in front of the Acrow bridge.
Photo Virginia Lawrence.  Click on photo to enlarge.

 

Yesterday I walked down to the Covered Bridge in the early morning where I spoke with the Supervisor, Joe Boris, who explained that in the next two or three days the construction team was going to remove some shims, and that something (?) would be lowered by about 3 inches.

When I got home, I realized I didn’t really understand what was going to happen, so I went back to find out more.  During the course of three more trips to the covered bridge the Boris brothers, Supervisor Joe and Master Carpenter John, explained the bridge rehabilitation project in a very clear way.

Rehabilitation Project

John said that the bridge was constructed with a slight arch from end to end known as a camber.  He illustrated this concept by lacing his fingers together palms down.  When the bridge is resting on the two foundations at either end the weight of the bridge pushes down (he pushed his hands down), the trusses tighten, and the whole structure becomes rigid.

The diagonal lattice pieces were held together with wooden dowels, “trunnels” or “treenails.”  In order to replace the damaged timbers it would be necessary to remove the trunnels.   However, the camber  of the wooden bridge would first need to be loosened by raising the wooden bridge off its foundations.  Again, John illustrated with his hands.

The wooden trusses are pegged together with wooden dowels, known as either "trunnels" or "treenails."
Photo Virginia Lawrence.  Click on photo to enlarge.

Here is where the Acrow bridge came in.  An Acrow bridge, made of steel trusses, was assembled inside the wooden bridge.   It rested on the new stone ramp at one end and on Ragin road at the other  Once in place, it was raised with shims (small wedges) so that the wooden bridge was lifted off its foundations by about three inches.  With the wooden bridge hanging in place, supported by the Acrow bridge, the structure was no longer rigid.  The trunnels could be removed and the timbers replaced.

The gray steel structure behind the construction worker is an Acrow Bridge, a temporary extendible bridge.
Photo Virginia Lawrence.  Click on photo to enlarge.

Time Line

In the next few days (July 19-22) the shims under the Acrow bridge will be removed, the Acrow bridge will be lowered about 3 inches, the wooden bridge will settle back onto its foundations, and lattices and trunnels will be tight again.  Joe told me the difference will not be visible. 

The Acrow bridge is due to be removed sometime in August, and that will be easy to see.

Location

John Boris says that he’s worked all over the place in the State of New York, but that this specific location is his favorite.  He has seen eagles flying over and trout jumping out of the river.  He loves being here because of the site's peacefulness and beauty. 

*****

 

Footnote

Town's Lattice Truss.
Click on diagram to enlarge.

Joe told me the Beaverkill Covered Bridge was built in a style known as Town’s Lattice Truss,  patented on  January 28, 1820, by architect/civil engineer Ithiel Town. 

   

Bridge Restoration Update
The Stone Ramp
Contributed by Virginia Lawrence July 18, 2016

I was descending into a giant gravel pit.  July 18th.
Photos Virginia Lawrence. Click on photo to enlarge
Having only website photos to keep myself up-to-date on the restoration of the bridge during my 10-month winter absence, I was not prepared for what I saw when I walked down there yesterday evening for the first time since my return.  As I came down the hill into the campsite, the bridge was not fully visible at first.  My impression was that I was descending into a giant gravel pit. 

Eric Hamerstrom had explained in February that a new temporary ramp had been built up to the height of the bridge floor so that long steel truss supports could be slid into place through the bridge. They were to rest on the new fill at one end and on Ragin road at the other, and would support the bridge from inside while the damaged wooden timbers were replaced.

There were plenty of photos of this ramp, of course, but the ramp itself never caught my attention.  I was more interested in the progress on the bridge.

Yesterday (July 17th) was Sunday, and in spite of the ongoing construction, the picnic area was full. I had seen a convoy of a vehicles drive in around 11am.  When I walked down there at 6pm the beach goers just packing up to go home.

I went back down this morning (July 18th).  The beach goers were gone, but the construction workers had begun to arrive.     
Straight ahead the Rangers' garage.  The roof of the
Rangers' cabin is visible at the left.  July 18th.
Click on photo to enlarge.
 
Stone ramp seen from the downstream side.
The gravel-covered beach is fully visible at left.
Click on photo to enlarge.
 
Stone ramp seen from the upstream side.  About 10
Sunday beach goers are still gathered round their picnic tables.
Click on photo to enlarge.
Closeup of the stone ramp seen from the upstream side.  
This stone ramp extends from the bridge to the
driveway of the rangers' cabin.
Click on photo to enlarge.

 

Bridge Restoration III
Latest photo contributed by Roger Lawrence, June 1st, 2016

Click on photo to enlarge.

 

Bridge Restoration II
Latest photos contributed by Roger Lawrence, May 17th, 2016

Note: The beach has been transformed into a rocky roadbed.
Click on photos to enlarge.
 
 
 
A worker finishing the treenails, the pegs that
attach the various structural pieces
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

Bridge Restoration MAY UPDATE

photos contributed by Roger Lawrence, May 5th, 2016

Click on photos to enlarge.
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

Catskills Summer 2014
Photos by Bruce Janklow, July 29, 2015

 

The Beaverkill Covered Bridge Summer 2014
Photo Bruce Janklow
Click on image to enlarge
.

More of Bruce's Catskill photos here.

 

February 3, 2015   Brrr! 
Bridge closed

Foot of snow, minus 2 (two) degrees.
Photos Patricia Adams

Click on photos to enlarge.
 
     
 
   
 
     

 


Snow February 2015

The Beaverkill Falls: 1890 - 1942 - 2000

The Installation of the New Steeple

The Annual General Meeting August 16, 2014

The 2014 Trout Parade

The Hoos Fire November 2012

Trout Parade July 2010

Beaverkill Beauty

Floods

The Iron Bridge

Annual General Meetings

Photo Essays: Heritage Edition

Beaverkill Today

Beaverkill Yesterday

 


 

Most Recent

The Beaverkill Falls: 1890 - 1942 - 2000

Beaverkill Beauty

Rainbows and Butterflies - October 3, 2010

Beaverkill Beauty - September 2009

 

Floods

Flood 2011: During Hurricane Irene, by Tom Lawrence

Flood 2008: The Rebuilding of Elm Hollow Road

Flood 2008: The Aftermath

Flood 2007: Berry Brook Road

Flood 2007: Cat Hollow Road

Flood 2007: Holiday Brook Road

Flood 2006: Covered Bridge and Campsite

Flood 2006: Elm Hollow Road

Flood 2004: The First Flood of the 21st Century

Flood 1933: Livingston Manor and Lew Beach

 

The Iron Bridge 

The Iron Bridge That Was

Requiem for an Iron Bridge Sept 2006

New Iron Bridge: Installation August 28, 2007

New Iron Bridge: Installing the "Floor" September 2007

 

Annual General Meetings 

AGM August 16, 2014

AGM August 9, 2008

AGM August 11, 2007

AGM August 5, 2006

AGM August 2005

AGM August 7, 2004

 

Photo Essays from Heritage Edition

Riverride 2003

The Kittles of Amber Lake 1901 from glass negatives, and shown with enlargements

The Iroquois Club 1926

 

Beaverkill Today

Tennis Tournament Photos from the 90s

Book Launch February 18, 2007

Beaverkill in 2007-2008

 

Beaverkill Yesterday

Old Houses and Structures

The Schoolhouse

The Church

The Covered Bridge

The Castle

Trout Valley Farm

Fisher Folk

The Golf Links That Were

Clear Lake Brochure 1928

The Beaverkill Post Office

Neighbors

Lew Beach in the 30s and 40s

Old Postcards and Photos

 

 

 

 

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