Gilkey Covered Bridge to get overhaul this summer – Albany Democrat Herald

SCIO The Linn County Road Department will oversee restoration of the Gilkey Covered Bridge this summer, according to County Engineer Chuck Knoll.

This will be the fourth covered bridge restoration project Linn County has completed in the last five years, he said. We plan to advertise this project for bid in the next few weeks.

Renovation is expected to run from June to late October, and the estimated cost is $1- to $1.5-million, to be funded through the Oregon Department of Transporations local bridge program. (The Shimanek Covered Bridge is in line for restoration in 2019.)

According to Knoll, the Gilkey carries Goar Road over Thomas Creek and is located in an area of the county known as Gilkey station, established in 1880. Knoll said the area was a center for shipment of farm products.

The bridge was built based on an Oregon State Highway Commission design, although there's some confusion about what year it was actually constructed. A plaque on the structure indicates 1939, but Knoll said a 1936 Albany Democrat-Herald article noted it was constructed that year.

Linn County has about 320 bridges that we inspect and maintain," he said. "Through the years since 1936 I have a hunch that the Linn County Engineer before me and the Roadmaster before Darrin Lane had a lot of work to do and did not have time to correct any published sources that got the date wrong or right. We might consider placing a new sign on the covered bridge that indicates the bridge was constructed in 1936 as part of this project.

However, he added, a sign with an incorrect date of 1939 might, to some, have a little historical significance.

Kevin Groom, who designed the renovation project, said the open trussed style allowed more light and visibility while reducing wind resistance on the house.

The partially exposed trusses also dry out faster than enclosed designs, Knoll said.

The bridge uses 120-foot Howe trusses on each side of the roadway. In 1995, the county replaced decaying bottom timber chord sections on both trusses. Repairs three years later included replacing more decaying chord members, as well as steel hanger rods, bearing plates, floor beams and cross-bracing; a new deck installation; chemical fumigation of trusses; and paint.

A 2008 truck accident forced further repairs: replacing a damaged upper cross brace and damaged timber diagonals; and repairing damaged steel hanger rods, siding and broken roof collar ties.

Groom noted the renovation project is designed to bring the structural capacity of the bridge up to 40 tons, which will support the crossing of trucks. Its current capacity is six tons.

The project will include installing new pressure-treated timber bottom truss chords; making epoxy repairs to damaged existing top timber chords; adding steel side plates on existing top timber chords to increase strength; installing a new timber roof truss, structural members and cedar shingle roofing; installing a new timber deck and historic timber guard rail; new timber siding; new paint; and new bridge approach spans.

In addition to the extensive work on the main span, the project will also replace all of the existing timber and concrete substructure with new reinforced concrete and steel piling abutments and piers, Groom said in a report about the bridge status. This will address constant maintenance issues associated with decaying timber and scour damage from Thompson Creek that have occurred in the past during large storms.

Knoll said the Linn County Road Department is fortunate to have Groom on staff.

Kevin has many years experience in the structural design of timber covered bridges, Knoll said. Kevin provided the design for the restoration of the bridge, with support from Andrew Potts, Daineal Malone and myself, as well as input from our bridge maintenance crew.

Knoll said projects of this magnitude work best if tackled as a team effort.

Its best to get input from everyone who has a working knowledge of a covered bridge, Knoll said.

Linn County Road Department is responsible for the maintenance of six covered bridges in addition to Gilkey: the Hannah, Larwood, Short, Shimanek and Hoffman covered bridges. Hannah, Larwood, Short and Hoffman have been restored over the past five years with engineering design, contract administration and construction inspection completed by the Linn County Engineering staff.

Contact Linn County reporter Alex Paul at 541-812-6114.

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Gilkey Covered Bridge to get overhaul this summer - Albany Democrat Herald