Better Roads Digital Magazine
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/85927
SPANNING HISTORY I OVER THE APPOMATTOX RIVER THAT CONFEDERATES HAD TO DESTROY. AT THE BATTLE OF HIGH BRIDGE, APRIL 7,1865, T WAS TWO DAYS FROM THE END. ROBERT E. LEE WAS WITHDRAWING AND ULYSSES S. GRANT WAS PURSUING HIM. BETWEEN THEM WERE BRIDGES CONFEDERATE SOLDIERS SET THAT BRIDGE AFIRE. BUT UNION TROOPS MADE SURE IT DIDN'T COMPLETELY BURN. THEY COULD USE IT. THE CONFEDERATE ARMY COULD NOT REST. LEE SURRENDERED TWO DAYS LATER. That historic original bridge was replaced in the early 1900s by Norfolk and Western Railroad, which eventually became part of Norfolk Southern Railroad. In 2004, Norfolk Southern donated more than 30 miles of abandoned railbed to the Commonwealth of Virginia to develop a historic trail park. Prior to its re- cent completion, the High Bridge was the only part of High Bridge Trail State Park not open to the public. The renovation transformed a nearly 100-year-old abandoned railroad bridge into an efficiently recon- structed rails-to-trails pedestrian/bicycle/hiking/eques- trian pathway more than 120 feet above the river. STV designed the rehabilitation of the 2,419-foot- long pedestrian bridge for the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. Repairs included the replacement of almost 1,000 wooden railroad ties and the widening of the bridge span for pedestrian traffic. The project also included three structural steel over- looks, places to stop and enjoy the panoramic views and to learn more about the bridge's Civil War history through interpretive signs and programs. To widen the span, STV determined that every fourth tie along the bridge would be replaced with a 14-foot- long tie. Steel brackets were attached to each end of these long ties and from there 4-by-4-inch posts were placed perpendicularly along the sides of the deck to form the rail system and to increase the width of the walkway. v NON-CONDUCTIVE PIPE ROLLERS BRIDGE CROSSINGS Prevent the passing of current from the pipeline to bridge structure, rebars, etc. * Free catalogue of pipeline Bridge Crossing Products. n n n n n n Maintain same support strength of pipe hanger system. Eliminate chafing and rusting pipe caused by iron rolls. Eliminate electrical grounding of the pipeline to the bridge. Eliminate insulating joints at each end of bridge, and include the suspended line as part of a cathodically protected pipeline, i.e. continuity of cathodic protection. Absorb vibration from traffice or other sources, saving wear and tear on pipe hanger parts. Highest specification polyurethane compound is cast around an integral steel sleeve to form a full length bearing for the axle. n Direct replacement for cast iron roll. P.O. Box 540 Westtown, PA 19395 Fax 610-344-7519 610-696-9220 ncroll.comLB&A, INC. Write 174 on Reader Service Card or visit www.betterroads.com/info LB&A_BR0211.indd 1 Better Roads August 2012 31 1/6/11 10:18 AM