Dewey Bridge burns down - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

kerry · #1 04-09-2008, 12:00 AM

When I first started canoeing the west in the early 80's the bridge was still the only way to cross the Colorado above Moab in Utah.

http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?p=4302821

t walgamuth · #2 04-09-2008, 07:09 AM

Did it have a wood deck?

Too bad.

Tom W

Jordan G · #3 04-09-2008, 07:36 AM

that's really too bad. The article said it was on the historic register too......and all from a kid playing with matches?

I can't quite figure this one out.......it must have spread like crazy and moved quickly for nobody to notice before the bridge caught fire.

http://www.heraldextra.com/content/view/261632/17/

t walgamuth · #4 04-09-2008, 08:28 AM

If the fire started in daytime the flames would not be as obvious.

Tom W

Jordan G · #5 04-09-2008, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

If the fire started in daytime the flames would not be as obvious.

Tom W

True.....and I have no idea about the site - sounds pretty remote......but sheesh, for a fire to burn that much land and move up a riverbank.....you'd think the parents of this kid (or somebody) would have noticed? That other article said the flames scorched the underside of an adjacent concrete bridge.....so the flames must have been pretty high - high enough to reach the timber deck and move quickly, I suppose.

Either way, it's a darn shame....can't replace stuff like that.

t walgamuth · #6 04-09-2008, 08:38 AM

i am hoping its repairable.

Doofus's around here used to burn historic covered bridges from time to time. I think we still have at least 30 in Indiana.

I bet we had twice that many when i was a kid in the fifties and sixties.

Tom W

Jordan G · #7 04-09-2008, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

i am hoping its repairable.

Doofus's around here used to burn historic covered bridges from time to time. I think we still have at least 30 in Indiana.

I bet we had twice that many when i was a kid in the fifties and sixties.

Tom W

I'm sure it is.....but the cost will be prohibitive....especially working with a historic structure - that automatically triples the price (right or wrong). I read too that a bunch of volunteers had just donated their time/money to paint the thing....

If it were an active rail line or vehicular bridge....sure, it would get rebuilt....but for a pedestrian structure? I'm guessing it will be tough to secure the funding/grants required.

Yah - a really nice historic covered bridge here in Lancaster County burned down a couple of years ago too.....but here's the ones around where I live.
http://www.co.lancaster.pa.us/lanco/cwp/view.asp?a=15&Q=257050

Unfortunately, the county I do bridge inspections for had all their covered bridges wiped out in hurricane agnes.

t walgamuth · #8 04-09-2008, 09:17 AM

Cool.

My Walgamuth Ancestors came to Indiana from Lancaster co. There are plenty still there I understand.

Some may be Amish.

Tom W

t walgamuth · #9 04-09-2008, 09:19 AM

I just goodled it and Indiana still has 91 covered bridges.

Countyhistory.com for more info.

Tom W

Jordan G · #10 04-09-2008, 09:33 AM

Wow....Indiana once had over 600? I don't know how many PA once had....but I think we have about 200 still standing. The most interesting one I've read about is the Wrightsville Ferry bridge crossing the Susquehanna River (Lincoln Highway). It was rebuilt a bunch of times....but I think it was the longest covered bridge in the world until the army torched it in the civil war to keep the confederates from crossing? It's a concrete arch bridge now.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbia-Wrightsville_Bridge

Cool stuff, I love reading about these old bridges - and yeah, I know a lot of amish around here head out there and ohio to visit family. Several Walgamuth's around here too.

Chad300tdt · #11 04-09-2008, 09:39 AM

Those are cool links to the covered bridges. There are plenty in my neck of PA too. Bucks County and Montgomery County have some cool ones. I love driving through them, but it's even cooler to walk through or ride a bike so you can get the full experience.

t walgamuth · #12 04-09-2008, 10:18 AM

I have never understood why they have gone out of favor.

YOu wouldn't build a builiding and leave off the roof.

Tom W

Kuan · #13 04-09-2008, 10:27 AM

That really stinks. What did your parents tell you about playing with matches?

Serves them right, those damn MTB'ers, riding on BLM land, trying to bad ATV's, using public roads for free when they should be paying a gas tax.

blkntancj · #14 04-09-2008, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jordan G

True.....and I have no idea about the site - sounds pretty remote......but sheesh, for a fire to burn that much land and move up a riverbank.....you'd think the parents of this kid (or somebody) would have noticed? That other article said the flames scorched the underside of an adjacent concrete bridge.....so the flames must have been pretty high - high enough to reach the timber deck and move quickly, I suppose.

Either way, it's a darn shame....can't replace stuff like that.

Its actually not remote, its right at the edge of town (Moab) but the river banks are really brushy there and it wouldn't take long for the fire to get big and move fast.

Chas H · #15 04-09-2008, 12:57 PM

I live within a few miles of 5 covered bridges, including the last one left in NJ. Fire is an ever present hazard and most of those gone burnt down.
Back in the day before steel, the bridges were covered to protect them and the roadway from weather. Many bridges now use an open grate roadbed that allows snow to drop thru.