Greenfield, Massachusetts. The Greenfield Covered Bridge reopened after a ribbon-cutting ceremony on November 13. After being removed from its abutments for 6 months and being closed since Tropical Storm Irene on August 28, 2011, the bridge once again is open to traffic. Tropical Storm Irene destroyed the east abutment and distorted the bridge superstructure, caused uneven settlement of the truss end bearings, and necessitated replacement of several of the main timber elements along with decking, floor beams, roofing, and siding.
The Town of Greenfield contracted with DuBois & King to oversee emergency repairs to the bridge and to complete the rehabilitation design. Sara Campbell, PE, Greenfield Town Engineer, led the 3-year-long project, as well as acquiring funding for the project. The $1.3M project is being paid for with federal (FEMA) and Town funding. E. T. & L. Corp. of Stow, Massachusetts, was the contractor.
The first task after the flood was to jack up and stabilize the bridge on the existing abutments to prevent further damage and to save it from another flood while the rehabilitation design work proceeded. Repairs were designed for the roof framing, upper and lower lateral bracing, timber trusses, board siding, floor beams, decking, and bearings. Workers temporarily relocated the bridge to the east bank, for replacement of the abutments and to allow greater access to the bridge for repairs. Both abutments were removed and replaced with concrete abutments and wing walls. The east abutment was raised 2 feet to enable greater capacity of the bridge to pass future floodwaters without damage.
The time-lapse video represents the 2-hour replacement of the Green River Covered Bridge.
See links below for news coverage.
CBS 3 Springfield
WWLP-22 News
ABC 40
