Phase 1 Construction to Save the Covered Bridge
Temporary Cradle
Herb LindbergLoad was taken off the bridge abutments at the ends of the bridge by constructing a steel cradle on columns standing on solid footings (piers) at each shoreline. The columns were held in place by steel rods from the tops of the columns to four concrete anchors, two at each end, set back form the bridge. You can see these details in the following four photographs. This cradle will hold the bridge solidly in place until reconstruction is completed in Phase 2 to restore the historic wood construction of the bridge. More complete and precise construction details are given here.
|
![]() |
Another view of these details. |
![]() |
Both ends of the cradle before installation of the two intermediate cross beams. |
![]() |
In this zoomed view of the far end you can see a cross beam of the cradle (mostly in shadow, tucked under the bridge) and the concrete piers on the shoreline on which the columns are secured. |
![]() |