When we pulled the covered bridge from its original location, the steel channel bent and detached. Rather than simply replacing it in kind, I took the opportunity this week to improve the structure by installing 4×6 beams—bringing the bridge more in line with traditional covered bridge construction.

At the same time, I began removing some of the existing fill to prepare for the new abutments. A friend kindly loaned me his forms, which will be a great help moving forward. The plan for next week is to set those forms in place and begin preparing for the concrete pour.

Below are a couple of photos showing the underside of the bridge. The entire original structure is built from rough-cut pine sourced from a local sawmill. Remarkably, it remains in excellent condition—well preserved thanks to the protection provided by the bridge’s roof.