Rating:
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The Five Shovelmen Bridge

Monroe County, Wisconsin

Photos 

The Five Shovelmen Bridge Sparta, WI

Looking downriver

Photo taken by Chris and Joyce Barlow in September 2016

Enlarge

BH Photo #376734

Map 

Description 

This is the fifth major bridge project constructed by the Five Shovelmen. This bridge is also the longest span, and the entire project the most ambitious. It was built with logistical assistance from US Silica, a company truly committed to their promise of seeing a bridge built between Amundson Park and the future Smith Lake.

Facts 

Overview
Modern bowstring through truss bridge over LaCrosse River on Pedestrians and Bicycles
Location
Sparta, Monroe County, Wisconsin
Status
Open to traffic. Dedicated September 20, 2016
Future prospects
This bridge will have an extensive bicycle trail built this coming summer on the south side of the LaCrosse River, ultimately connecting to the State Bike Trail
History
The bridge groundbreaking was on Dec 9, 2015. It was constructed entirely by volunteers known as the Five Shovelmen. The bridge has its origins in a Conditional Use Permit agree to by US Silica and the City of Sparta.
Builders
- Alan Jenkins
- Gerald Kast
- James Cook
- Kerry Schumann
- Reinhard Mueller
- The Five Shovelmen of Sparta, Wisconsin
Design
Modern bowstring through truss
Dimensions
Length of largest span: 80.0 ft.
Total length: 238.0 ft.
Deck width: 8.0 ft.
Vertical clearance above deck: 11.0 ft.
Approximate latitude, longitude
+43.92807, -90.84354   (decimal degrees)
43°55'41" N, 90°50'37" W   (degrees°minutes'seconds")
Approximate UTM coordinates
15/673102/4866143 (zone/easting/northing)
Quadrangle map:
Sparta
Elevation
830 ft. above sea level
Inventory number
BH 75310 (Bridgehunter.com ID)

Categories 

Alan Jenkins (1)
Beam (15,942)
Built 2016 (36)
Built during 2010s (439)
Gerald Kast (1)
James Cook (1)
Kerry Schumann (1)
Modern (2,459)
Modern bowstring through truss (12)
Modern through truss (65)
Modern truss (166)
 Monroe County, Wisconsin (40)
Open (40,033)
Owned by city (5,558)
Reinhard Mueller (2)
Slab (2,091)
Span length 75-100 feet (6,465)
Sparta, Wisconsin (12)
The Five Shovelmen (4)
Timber stringer (4,080)
Total length 175-250 feet (4,298)
Wisconsin (1,515)

Update Log 

  • January 24, 2017: Added by Reinhard Mueller

Sources 

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Comments 

The Five Shovelmen Bridge
Posted January 24, 2017, by Hazen (hazenh [at] westernwoodstructures [dot] com)

Incredible setting for this bridge. Well done Shovelmen for your dedication and making a difference in the Sparta community.