LVRC - Cambridge Junction Bridge
Photos
LVRC - Cambridge Junction Bridge
Southern approach
Photo taken by Michael Quiet in June 2016
BH Photo #355442
Description
This is a bit of a Frankenstein bridge, as it has quite a few different components from different eras. As with other composite bridges like this on this line this bridge dates to 1968, the year the St J & LC embarked on a desperate attempt to increase the line's productivity by removing the remaining covered bridges still in service on the line with steel spans. Most of these upgrades were accomplished by replacing them with used girder spans.The previous bridge here was a covered bridge built in 1899. Supported by ashlar abutments and a river pier, it also had a DPG and stringer approach spans to the south
In April of 2016 it was found that the shoddy timber pile pier in the river had rotted and was beginning to shift, putting the spans in jeopardy of collapse. An emergency project was undertaken with assistance form the State to pull the 2 spans at risk from the river. From there the pier would be rebuilt and the spans will be put back in place.
Facts
- Overview
- Deck plate girder bridge over Lamoille River on Lamoille Valley Railroad
- Location
- Cambridge Junction, Lamoille County, Vermont
- Status
- Superstructure removed
- History
- Original bridge built 1899; Covered span replaced with 2 recycled DPG spans 1968; demolished 2017
- Railroads
- - Lamoille Valley Railroad (LVRC)
- St. Johnsbury & Lamoille County Railroad (StJ&LC)
- Design
- From south the north:
2 steel stringer spans supported by timber piles (Installed prior to 1968)
1 DPG span supported by timber pile and ashlar pier (1899)
2 DPG spans of different sizes supported by ashlar abutment/pier as well as timber pile (installed 1968) - Dimensions
-
Length of largest span: 84.0 ft.
Total length: 230.0 ft.
- Also called
- LVRC - Bridge No. 68
- Approximate latitude, longitude
- +44.65177, -72.81956 (decimal degrees)
44°39'06" N, 72°49'10" W (degrees°minutes'seconds") - Approximate UTM coordinates
- 18/672889/4946579 (zone/easting/northing)
- Quadrangle map:
- Jeffersonville
- Inventory number
- BH 72495 (Bridgehunter.com ID)
Update Log
- August 13, 2017: Updated by Michael Quiet: Noted that spans have been removed. Replacement in progress
- March 8, 2017: New photos from Michael Quiet
- June 21, 2016: Added by Michael Quiet
Related Bridges
- StJ&LC - Cambridge Junction Covered Bridge (Predecessor) - Only the covered span was replaced.
Sources
- Michael Quiet - mquiet [at] gmail [dot] com
- VTrans inventory, December 2014 - Last inventory photos of the bridge in its original (1968) configuration
Comments
Well looks like my optimism was misplaced. The existing components are going to be replaced with 2 125 foot modern spans. A silver lining is that the original ashlar pier and abutments will be retained and refurbished.
http://www.lvrt.org/bridge-68-to-be-replaced-this-summer
I'm pretty conflicted, as this bridge was quite a mish-mash of components from different times that made it pretty unique, but of questionable historic integrity/value. Its added timber pile piers contributed both to its initial failure, and were going to be a problem in the future. Returning it to a straight 2 span system will prevent future problems and undoubtedly keep down maintenance costs. But on the other hand it was a exceptional demonstration of the desperate times for the STJ & LC with its cobbled-together appearance giving it an incredible amount of character. Maybe it was a bridge only a pontist could love
Bidding has been put out for the construction of this bridge. It'll be nice to see this one put back together!
http://www.bridgeconstruction.biz/bid_opportunities/2017/01/...
This page's URL is http://bridgehunter.com/vt/lamoille/bh72495/
Michael,do you know why they would cover over the rail and not remove it?Sounds weird to me.Maybe you or anybody else can find out.