Pinetown Bushong's Mill Covered Bridge

NARRATIVE

General Description of Structure

The Big Conestoga #6 Bridge is a single span, covered wooden bridge. The superstructure consists of Burr-type wood trusses in combination with a double arch and steel hanger rods. The deck system consists of transverse wooden floor beams supporting longitudinal wooden stringers which support a transverse sub-deck of spread oak planks and a longitudinal wearing surface of oak timber.

The span of the bridge is 124 feet. The clear deck width is 12'-10". The underclearance is 15'-0". The skew of the bridge is 90 degrees. The clearance above the bridge deck is 11'-6".

The bridge is in good structural condition.

For sketches of the plan, elevation, and section of the bridge, see Engineer's Report for Inspection of Big Conestoga Bridge No. 6, 1987, by Hegarty Engineers Inc.

 

Field Inspection History

The initial inspection of this bridge was done, in the present format, in 1985 by Huth Engineers, Inc. Subsequent inspections were performed in 1987 by Hegarty Engineers Inc. and in 1989 AND 1991 by the Office of the County Engineer.

The County has not performed any repairs, other than routine maintenance, since the last inspection.

 

Approaches

The bituminous approach roadways are in very good condition with no problems noted. There are no steel guide rails, only concrete parapets above the wing walls. There is a slight bump at each transition.

 

Posting

The bridge is currently posted for a 5-ton weight limit and 11'-6" vertical clearance. It is the County's policy to post all covered wooden bridges that are not in need of repair for a maximum weight limit of 5-tons. Advance posting is in place for each approach.

 

 

Deck

The deck is in good condition with no major problems noted. Deck timbers are starting to show signs of wear from traffic.

 

Superstructure

All superstructure members are currently in good condition with no major problems noted. On the upstream arch, at the 4th vertical from the west end, the end of a through bolt is missing. On the downstream arch, at the 5th vertical from the east end, rot is developing at an arch timber end.

 

Substructure

At the east abutment, downstream wingwall, there is minor pointing deterioration. At the west abutment, upstream wingwall, there is heavy moss growth, vegetation, and minor pointing deterioration. At the west abutment, downstream wingwall, there are some stones missing and pointing deterioration. The stems of both abutments are exhibiting minor pointing deterioration.

 

Channel

The channel alignment is good. No scour is noted. There is some minor erosion upstream and downstream.