Laughery Creek Bridge

Visited the bridge today. Looks great!

I saw they had half of it painted black and the other half covered in tarps a week or two ago. I thought they would be painting it red though. Railings look good. Just not sure if I like the black.

Visited the bridge today and the painters were there working on it. They told me they would be finished in about another week. After that there will be some road work. Then it will probably be finished for the year.

I went by this bridge little over a week ago and they have a large part of the bridge covered up like in this picture http://bridgehunter.com/uploads/forum/1224713904-ny_westchester_5502190/P1224713904-1-X.jpg

So I'm guessing the painting has started.

Don

A Change Order has to be issued whenever additional funds are needed that are not in the original contract. It is not uncommon to have a few of these on most jobs. I found it is better to request the extra money and do the job right the first time.

Tony

Found this info on the Dearborn County website from October 7th 2008.

Change order for Triple Whipple found issues with abutment when it was jacked up totaling $8596.

I hope to get down there myself before the weather turns bad. It has been dry enough that they should be able to get all the work done. Yeah the abutments were built in 1868, with the covered bridge being completed in late 1869. It collapsed in July of 1878 and after much debate on weather to replace it with another wooden span or one of iron, the iron span was built on the existing abutments.

Tony

It says in the news story that

"Work started Tuesday, April 1, and probably will be completed in July, said Rob Davidson, superintendent for Faulkner Construction, Louisville, Ky.

But the company has until Saturday, Nov. 15, to complete the project, noted Dearborn County Highway Director Todd Listerman."

I'll probably go visit the bridge near the end of November to see where they are at on the construction. That's interesting about the abutments. I didn't even know about the covered bridge.

Looks like it's coming along nicely. Do you happen to know when it's supposed to be completed? I would say the painting won't happen until next year, but they might try to sneak it in. I'm glad to see they kept the stone abutments, which actually date back to the 1868 covered bridge.

Tony

Here are a few pictures of the construction going on at the Tripple Whipple. They were taken in late August by Dave Michaels.

I'm glad to see that this bridge is being restored, but $1,300,00 to do it? And, it's only going to be open to bicycles and pedestrians.

Man, someone is being seriously over paid. It's no wonder so many old bridges are allowed to deteriorate.

Here is the new story for the bridge for those who are interested.

http://thedcregister.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3320&Itemid=104

Turns out repairs have started! This picture is from April 25th 2008. I had no idea they were doing this! Good thing I went when I did in February. Can't wait to see it when it's done!

Here is some interesting information I found that is dated July 5th 2006.

Tripple-Whipple - Bridge #95 - Last December the Transportation Dept. received an official letter from INDOT regarding the bridge over Laughery Creek, the Tripple-Whipple Bridge. At that time, the Board of Commissioners authorized Todd Listerman to seek additional funds for Transportation Enhancement for additional construction dollar costs where originally they were given approximately $600,000 ten years ago. The construction costs have increased and INDOT has approved an additional $673,000 in federal Transportation Enhancement funds to fund the rehabilitation of the Tripple-Whipple Bridge. The county is in the process of meeting with INDOT at the Seymour district and the county’s consultant which is Barth & Associates to figure out what the last final steps they need to accomplish. The county will also meet with Ohio County to get the final grievance signed to pay their share of the (20% for construction dollars on Bridge #95.

They also plan on finishing the paperwork on the right-of-way necessary needed to do the work on Dearborn County’s side of the bridge. There have been discussions but the county has held off on finalizing the right-of-way paperwork until they had the grant in hand. Now that the grant is in hand, they will start that paperwork as well.

Todd mentioned that the Bridge #95 would be a part of the pedestrian connection – where it will be widened as part of the rehabilitation.

Thought this pic would be good to add. The bridge closed sign on Old S.R. 56 to the Laughery Creek Bridge. Also attached is a picture of the deck of bridge taken on Febuary 16th, 2008. It still seems to be in pretty good condition!

Just a note on the description of this bridge. It is over Laughery Creek, not a branch of it. Thanks