A Bridge Too Far? (Gone)
I have been working with Scouts for about 20 years, helping with around 90 Eagle projects along the way. That’s a lot of projects!
In my experience, the average outdoor Scout project lasts about 10 years. I have always tried to stretch that by teaching Scouts building methods that can add another five years. But you can see where the math takes us. Those 15-year-old projects eventually come due for replacement or a serious overhaul.
The bridge at Crooked Spring easily fits that category.
The decking boards are at or beyond the end of their useful life. The town has recognized this by painting dots on unsafe boards that need replacement. Today, I walked out and examined it. By my count, at least 12 boards need to be replaced.
As with any project, there comes a point when the “fix” becomes extensive enough that it is time for a rebuild. In this case, I think the entire top needs to be stripped and the decking replaced.
The base rests on stone, which appears to be holding up. The center support was pressure-treated and driven deep into the muck of the kettle pond. Those supports should be checked when the decking comes off, too.
The depth is deceiving. Between the water and the mud, you can be at least waist-deep. There are no handrails, and soft boards and open holes make this a recipe for a “fall-through” or a “trip and swim.”
I think this needs to be addressed within the next month or so, or the bridge should be closed until repairs are completed.
The town has already flagged the problem. Marking bad boards is a useful first step, but it does not make them safe. Leaving a known problem open also raises a liability concern. If someone gets hurt after those boards have been marked for replacement, there may not be much of a board left to stand on.