Bridge #10 Non-Observation

[Henry]

Well, last night I went down to the village and decided as long as there wasn't anybody working, I would try and get a closer look at the new bridge and what they might be doing.  I drove up in front of Foothills Bakery, but couldn't see a thing.  I then drove up to the top of Main Hill and drove down in front of John & Sue Mitchell's place, but the only thing I could see was that they were possibly doing some cementing.

I understand OSHA regulations, so didn't want to try and walk over, especially since I am not that steady on my feet.  If Ben Cota comes home this weekend, maybe he can check it out and give us an idea if the New Bridge will indeed be open soon and what they have left to do.  The last time I talked with the workers they were quite optimistic that they could have people travelling over it in 3 weeks.

[MikeF9]

I heard someone say that there are trying to get it ready for the July 4 weekend.

[Henry]

Saw John Mitchell down at Steeple's tonight and he told me they hope to be blacktopping in about a week - John says he doesn't miss the traffic going by his house.

I know what he is talking about because when Maryann and I were first married we lived in the house where Ed Paquin lives and I well remember the big trucks shifting down right in front of the house - Soooooo Happy to move up on The Fletcher Road.

[BCota]

well...now that the beams are down things should be moving along rather quickly;

first they had to tighten all of the beams together width-wise and then pour grout (probably the "cementing" that you observed, Henry) into the narrow little gaps between each beam.  Next step will be to form and cast the side walks, then apply an impermeable membrane ontop of the beams.  Once the membrane is down and has been torch heated to remove any wrinkles they should be able to black top it.  they will probably clean up the approach sections of road and match the grade to the finished elevation of the bridge so that they can pave it all in one shot.  the last thing would be the guardrails on each side that simply fasten to the outer most beams...shouldn't be long now...

I will be home this weekend for the Boissoneault wedding and I'll be sure to have a look see; the magic number is 28 - that is the GC needs to have the bridge re-opened to traffic within 28 days of having closed it and there are significant monetary incentives to make that deadline or even finish prior to it...July 5th will be day 28.

[Dick Brown]

Sounds like Ben is on top of this project , which is good news for everyone , travelers and residents alike.
Henry, you, of course, remember that Nancy and I were the next couple after you & Maryann moved out to live near Adolph and Kay's house where the Paquins now live ( or did last I knew ). Jeff was one year old when we moved in, same age as your Lynn , and those four years were great for the three of us . When Jeff was around three , the Vermont Guard ( out of St. Johnsbury i think ) was on it's way to Camp Drum one Friday morning when for some reason, they took a break in the village, parking their vehicles on the side of the road from the top of the hill down to the curve near the post office . Jeff went out and started inviting the men to come in and have coffee with his mother, who by this time had gone looking for him. I think she was embarrassed, but probably not loss for words , knowing her.
I think it was Adolph who suggested later that she seemed unpatriotic by not following through on Jeff's offer.....don't think she was at loss for words then also.