Quechee Covered Bridge Information
Quechee Covered Bridge
Replacement Project
The Quechee Covered Bridge was severely damaged on August 28th, 2011 by the flood waters of Tropical Storm Irene.
It is with the support and cooperation of the People of Hartford, the State of Vermont and the Federal Highway Administration that this bridge, so dear to so many, is now being replaced.
Computer Renderings of New Bridge
Estimated Construction Schedule
Removal of Old Bridge - Mid July to Mid August
Preparation of New Abutments - Mid August to Early October
Construction of New Wooden Cover (On Village Green) - Mid Septto Mid Nov
Installation of New Prestressed Concrete Girders – Mid to Late October
Permanent Water and Sewer Mains – Late October to Mid November
Installation of New Bridge Deck – Early to Late November
Preparation of New Approaches – Late November
Installation of New Cover - Late November to Early December
Bridge to Reopen - December, 2012
Design and Engineering: Dubois & King, Randolph, Vt · Construction: Miller Construction, Inc., Windsor, Vt
______________________
Quechee Covered Bridge
CONSTRUCTION UPDATE
______________________
POSSIBLE DELAYS NOV. 6-8
Press Release - November 7, 2012
Update on the status of the Quechee bridge beam placement.
Two of the beams arrived yesterday and the crane and erection equipment should be ready to go this morning. We expect the beams from yesterday to be placed this morning starting as early as 9:30 AM. The final three beams will begin to arrive sometime after 10 AM today.
We expect short delays at the Quechee Main Street bridge intersection while each beam is backed into place and rolled across the abutment to the other side of the river. There will also be short closures of Deweys Mill Road when the remaining three beams are transported to the site.
The emergency detour through the Waldorf School and Ottauquechee school campus should be ready for use but will only be considered if unexpected delays of over 30 minutes occur or if it is required for emergency services vehicles. Highway Superintendent Allyn Ricker and the Police department will coordinate with the schools if it becomes necessary to open the detour.
We anticipate that beam placement will continue all day today (Wednesday) until all five beams are in place. Tomorrow’s activity should involve only minor disruptions in traffic while the crane and erection equipment is dismantled and de-mobilized.
Thank you for your patience and cooperation.
Richard Menge, PE
Director of Public Works
173 Airport Road
White River Junction, VT 05001
802-295-3622 phone
802-281-7051 fax
______________________
Quechee Bridge Beams to be Installed
POSSIBLE DELAYS NOV. 6-8
Press Release - November 2, 2012
Quechee Bridge Beams to be Installed November 6-8 Expect Road Delays
Miller Construction, the contractor who is building the replacement of the Quechee covered bridge destroyed during Tropical Storm Irene plans to move the new concrete girders into place between November 6 through November 8 2012. The five girders weigh in excess of 85,000 pounds each and will be delivered on specially designed trailers with steerable rear axles.
The planned delivery route is from Rutland along Route 4 where the girders will be directed onto Dewey's Mill Road from Route 4 then onto Quechee Main Street. Dewey's Mill Road will be closed while each girder is transported as it will take most of the road to get them onto Quechee Main Street. This trip will only take a matter of minutes and police and flaggers will be on hand to direct traffic. The beams will be stored at the job site and on Village Green Circle Road.
Once on the site, the beams will be put in place on the newly constructed abutments using two large cranes, one crane on each side of the river. Crane setup, beam placement and crane demobilization is expected to take place over three days from November 6 through November 8. Quechee Main Street traffic may experience delays of 15-30 minutes while the girders are being placed. An alternate route will be available in case of delays exceeding 30 minutes and for emergency service vehicles. Hartford police, fire and public works officials will set up informational message boards and handle traffic control during this process.
For further information please contact Hartford Public Works at 802-295-3622.
___________________________________
On Saturday, March 31, 2012 a Public Meeting was held to discuss the Quechee Covered Bridge Replacement Project & gather citizen input on cover designs. The Powerpoint presentation is outlined in the attached pdf. If you cannot access this pdf, please contact the Town Office (802) 295-9353 and a copy will be provided.
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
Dubois & King, Inc. submited an evaluation of a temporary bridge solution for the Quechee Covered Bridge . These findings are outlined in the attached pdf. If you cannot access this pdf, please contact the Town Office (802) 295-9353 and a copy will be provided.
__________________________________________
Revised Quechee Covered Bridge Investigation & Recommendation Report.
Dubois & King, Inc. submited a report/recommendation in December, based upon their findings in an investigation of a solution for the Quechee Covered Bridge, attached is a revised version dated January 2012. These findings are outlined in the attached pdf. If you cannot access this pdf, please contact the Town Office (802) 295-9353 and a copy will be provided. Please note this pdf is over 100 pages.
__________________________________________
Quechee Bridge Beams Installation Update
The Town of Hartford propses to replace the existing covered bridge with a new and improved covered bridge.
Improvements Include:
WHY BUILD NEW vs. REPAIR?
-
A wider bridge will handle another Tropical Storm Irene.
-
Most bridges have a 75 - 80 year life span.
-
The existing structural bridge componenets are 56 - 150 years old.
- Stone abutments are 150+ years old
- Steel support beams are 79 years old
- Concrete deck is 56 years old
- Roof and siding need repair
-
A new bridge will meet all modern day transportation standards for height, weight, width and load capacity and will be in service for the next 75+/- years.
-
Repair costs will be followed by more frequent maintenance of major structural components.
WHAT WILL THIS COST ME?
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) will contribute 80% ($679,775) of the estimated cost to repair the existing bridge ($849,717) to unimproved Pre-Irene conditions. These same funds can be put toward the cost of a new bridge ($1,815,000). Used in this fashion, these funds reduce the Town's costs for a new bridge by 42% to $1,135,225.
|
Total Project Cost
|
$1,815,000 |
|
Less FHWA/State Contributions
|
$ 679,775 |
|
Town of Hartford Share (not to exceed)
|
$1,135,225 |
-
If passed, the estimated annual loan payment (20 year bond) will be approximately = $97,840
-
This represents an increase in the Annual Tax Rate of less than one cent (.007) per $100/valuation based on current Grand List values.
-
Impact on a $200,000 home = approximately $14/year
WHAT IF ARTICLE #15 FAILS?
The Town of Hartford will . . .
- Repair the existing bridge to "Pre-Irene" conditions. There will be no funding for improvements to structure or functionality of the bridge – Town share $170,000.
Over the next 3-5 years, the Town will need to. . .
- Close and repair the bridge deck for an additional $310,000.
- Close the bridge for roof and steel structure replacement/repairs/painting for $295, 000.
- A "Pre-Irene" repaired bridge will need replacement in approxi-mately 10-25+/- years.
- By then, the replacement cost for the bridge is estimated to be approx. $3M to 3.8M vs. today’s net cost of $1,135,225 or less (using FHWA funds).
-
-
In short, we can build a new improved bridge for $1,135,225 that will last for 75+/- years or we can complete piece meal re-pairs for $775,000 over the next few years plus full replacement cost in 10-25+/- years = $3,775,000+…
BOND ARTICLE #15
Shall the Town of Hartford issue general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed One Million One Hundred Thirty Five Thousand Two Hundred Twenty Five Dollars ($1,135,225), subject to reduction from the receipt of any state or federal funds, for the purpose of financing the cost of replacing the present Quechee Covered Bridge (so-called) spanning the Ottaquechee River that was severely damaged and rendered unusable by flooding during Tropical Storm Irene, viz; with a new 87’ concrete and steel deck bridge with a wood housing/cover as well as the construction and/or reconstruction of associated sidewalks, roadways, acquisition of necessary land(s), easements, Rights of Way, or other appurtenances relating thereto, all to be repaid by property taxation. (By Australian Ballot).
______________________