Photo Gallery
Bridge Restoration Update
The Boris Brothers and the Acrow Bridge
Contributed by Virginia Lawrence July 19, 2016
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Supervisor Joe Boris for the Bridge Rehabilitation Project.
Photo Virginia Lawrence. Click on photo to enlarge. |
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Master Carpenter John Boris standing in front of the Acrow bridge.
Photo Virginia Lawrence. Click on photo to enlarge.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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
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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. |
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Straight ahead the Rangers' garage. The roof of the
Rangers' cabin is visible at the left. July 18th.
Click on photo to enlarge. |
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Stone ramp seen from the downstream side.
The gravel-covered beach is fully visible at left.
Click on photo to enlarge. |
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Stone ramp seen from the upstream side. About 10
Sunday beach goers are still gathered round their picnic tables.
Click on photo to enlarge. |
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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
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Click on photo to enlarge. |
Bridge Restoration II
Latest photos contributed by Roger Lawrence, May 17th, 2016
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Note: The beach has been transformed into a rocky roadbed.
Click on photos to enlarge. |
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A worker finishing the treenails, the pegs that
attach the various structural pieces |
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Bridge Restoration MAY UPDATE
photos contributed by Roger Lawrence, May 5th, 2016
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Click on photos to enlarge. |
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Catskills Summer 2014
Photos by Bruce Janklow, July 29, 2015
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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. |
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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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