The building of the bridge
Joe S. shown welding up main structure of the bridge frame. This bridge will be 24 feet long and 12 feet wide.
Jim Schrot welded center beam in, for support. Set main platform on blocks and set side beams next to bridge main frame. Still need to cut braces for side rails. That is the pic of yellow angle iron.
The next phase will be the fitment of the side rails with cross pieces to hold beams in place.
This phase the holes are drilled into the metal beams and planks are bolted on. These planks are for the decking to be attached to. Installing side railings on with the cross braces
Today, Nate S, Earl G, Tim T and I finished assembling the frame of the Randy Feyereisn Memorial Bridge. We attached the 8 ” channel to the main beams with “X” bracing and added 2×4 to the top of the channel so the deck can be secured on the outer edge. The channel is also used as support for the railing. Everything fell in place just like it was supposed to. Yay yay!! The frame is ready to be moved to the bridge site. Thanks again to Joe S, for welding, Barta Machine, for drilling and cutting the angle, Met Con, for use of the mag drill, Travis B, for getting mag drill, Randy V, Kurt K, Earl G, Tim T, Dave S, Dale D, for finding a bargain on the “I” beams and Jason G, for selling us the “I” beams at a reasonable price. The remaining for their help with assembly and procurement of parts!!
Thank you, Larry Shepherd, for putting this project all together.
The next phase will be installing bridge on site and placing decking on with the railings. Now to wait for crop to come out.
The crop is out. Now prepping site and installing bridge.
JD Groomer on the way out to the site
lifting bridge frame off the trailer
building a support for the bridge
Break time
Decking on ready for the installation of the rails
finishing up on the bridge with the railings
Larry testing bridge with truck
Finished bridge,ready for use. This will carry our 20 thousand pound groomer and drag
Building this bridge was a year long process with lots of club members involvement including: landowner permission;
designing an adequate structure; board members approval; fund raising; procurement of materials; availability of necessary loaned tools/equipment;
and finally lining up club members that were expert welders, machinist, equipment operators and laborers that donated their time and equipment.
The generosity of club members, companies, donors and the landowner deserve the credit for having the Randy Feyereisn Memorial Bridge available for use today. I want to personally thank everyone for your help and support to make this happen!!
Remarks from Larry S.
Final grading of the ramps on the bridge
Final inspection