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"Bill" Matkin Bridge

Construction of the Matkin Bridge Approaches

How are we supposed to get onto the new bridge????
How are we supposed to get onto the new bridge????

Now that the bridge is in place, the approaches must be built.   Dick Reed and Jim Salts stake out the positions for the approach support poles.
Now that the bridge is in place, the approaches must be built. Dick Reed and Jim Salts stake out the positions for the approach support poles

East Approach Construction .... or jump to photos of:  West Approach Construction

The east side approach needs a trail extended to meet the existing trail section.
The east side approach needs a trail extended to meet the existing trail section

Larry and Bob remove some trees that are in the way.
Larry and Bob remove some trees that are in the way

Looking north on the east side.   Ferrellgas is in the background.
Looking north on the east side.   Ferrellgas is in the background

The old railroad roadbed, looking east behind Ferrellgas.  Note the gate to the existing trail up ahead.
The old railroad roadbed, looking east behind Ferrellgas.   Note the gate to the existing trail up ahead

The south end of a drainage pipe under the roadbed put in by the railroad in 1945.
The south end of a drainage pipe under the roadbed put in by the railroad in 1945.

Note the old railroad ties.   (Rock Island RR history)
Note the old railroad ties

They can't find the north end of the pipe, yet.
They can't find the north end of the pipe, yet.

Update -- They found the inlet pipe.   (rb)
Update -- They found the inlet pipe.

Update 11/08/09 -- They made the inlet pipe functional again.   And removed the tree.
Update 11/08/09 -- They made the inlet pipe functional again.  And removed the tree.

09/16/09.   Looking south.   The bridge is next to the crane boom (right).
09/16/09.   Looking south.    The bridge is next to the crane boom (right).

The east approach construction has started.   (rb)
The east approach construction has started.

Checking that the work is done correctly.   (rb)
Checking that the work is done correctly

09/29/09
09/29/09

09/29/09.   The braces will stay in place until the concrete foundations set up.
09/29/09.   The braces will stay in place until all the concrete work is done.

09/29/09.   Waiting for the form to be built for the approach end-support footer.
09/29/09.   Waiting for the form to be built for the approach end-support footer

10/03/09.   The ground got smoothed out after the concrete set up and the braces were removed.
10/03/09.   The ground got smoothed out after the concrete set up and the braces were removed

10/04/09.   The stringers are being mounted, getting ready for the joists.
10/04/09.   The stringers are being mounted, getting ready for the joists

10/04/09.   The joists run from stringer to stringer to hold the deck floor.
10/04/09.   The joists run from stringer to stringer to hold the deck floor

The joists are fastened to the stringers by metal fixtures.
The joists are fastened to the stringers by metal fixtures

 
East approach of the Matkin Bridge

10/04/09.   The end-footer is not ready yet.
10/04/09.   The end-footer is not ready yet.

10/04/09.   A form will be built and concrete will be poured to make the end-footer for the approach.
10/04/09.   A form will be built and concrete will be poured to make the end-footer for the approach

10/07/09.   It rained 2 days ago.   Looking south towards the approach.
10/07/09.   It rained 2 days ago.   Looking south towards the approach

10/10/09.   The end-footer is now ready, and work continues on the approach.
10/10/09.   The end-footer is now ready, and work continues on the approach

 
East approach of Matkin Bridge

10/10/09.   The joists need spacers between each joist for stability.
10/10/09.   The joists need spacers between each joist for stability

Power is provided by portable generators.   Can you imagine sawing all this by hand?
Power is provided by portable generators. Can you imagine sawing all this by hand?

10/10/09.   The temperature suddenly dropped to the 30's today.
10/10/09.   The temperature suddenly dropped to the 30's this weekend

10/10/09.   The view from across the road.
10/10/09.   The view from across the road

Deck boards are fastened in place.   (rb)
Deck boards are fastened in place.

10/11/09.   By the end of the next day, most of the deck boards have been fastened.
10/11/09.   By the end of the next day, most of the deck boards have been fastened

10/11/09.   The connection to the end-footer is not done yet.
10/11/09.   The connection to the end-footer is not done yet

10/11/09.   Curved approaches are more difficult to build.
10/11/09.   Curved approaches are more difficult to build

Trimming everything to fit.   (rb)
Trimming everything to fit.

10/11/09.   Bill and Brian are trying to close the gap efficiently.
10/11/09.   Bill and Brian are trying to close the gap efficiently

10/11/09.   A close-up of the gap that needs to be decked.
10/11/09.   A close-up of the gap that needs to be decked

10/11/09.   Almost finished for the day.   Next weekend they plan to finish up.
10/11/09.   Almost finished for the day.   Next weekend they plan to finish up.

Time to start installing the railings.   (rb)
Time to start installing the railings.

We don't want anybody falling off.   (rb)
We don't want anybody falling off.

10/18/09.   It's the next Sunday afternoon and railings are being installed. (dfr)
10/18/09.   It's the next Sunday afternoon and railings are being installed.

The posts have to be cut level.   (rb)
The posts have to be cut level.

10/18/09.   The joists now have reached the end-footer. (dfr)
10/18/09.   The joists now have reached the end-footer.

10/18/09.   Upright railing posts have to be cut to the right height. (dfr)
10/18/09.   Upright railing posts have to be cut to the right height.

10/18/09.   Bill and Ron consult on the best way to do this. (dfr)
10/18/09.   Bill and Ron consult on the best way to do this.

10/18/09.   Is this a happy worker, or is he just mugging for the camera?. (dfr)
10/18/09.   Is this a happy worker, or is he just mugging for the camera?.

10/18/09.   Later that day and progress has been made.
10/18/09.   Later that day and progress has been made.

10/18/09.   Brian and Chris work as a team installing railings.
10/18/09.   Brian and Chris work as a team

 
East approach of Matkin bridge

10/18/09.   Chris says, "I need more screws!!"
10/18/09.   'Chris says, 'I need more screws!!'

10/18/09.   It looks like the railings will be finished today.
10/18/09.   It looks like the railings will be finished today

10/18/09.   The curves in the approach make it more difficult.
10/18/09.   The curves in the approach make it more difficult

10/18/09.   Looking back.   The dirt-work will be done later.
10/18/09.   Looking back.   The dirt-work will be done later

Almost done with the railings.   (rb)
Almost done with the railings.

10/18/09.   Looking from the south.
10/18/09.   Looking from the south

All done with the east side approach construction.   Next comes dirt-work by contractors.   (rb)
All done with the east side approach construction.   Next comes dirt-work by contractors.

Dirt was built up against the end-footer.   (rb)
Then the trail was rocked.

The old railroad roadbed section was smoothed out.   (rb)
Then the trail was rocked.

Then the trail was rocked.   (rb)
Then the trail was rocked.

Looking east along the railroad roadbed.   A parking lot is to the left.   (rb)
Looking east along the railroad roadbed.

A roller was used to pack down the stone surface.   The parking lot is to the right of the roller.   (rb)
A roller was used to pack down the stone surface.   The parking lot is to the right of the roller.


West Approach Construction

Now for the west side.   Work begins on the approach.   (rb)
   Now for the west side.   Work begins on the approach.

09/26/09.   Getting ready to build the form for the end-footer.
09/26/09.   Getting ready to build the form for the end-footer.

09/30/09.   Dirt had to be removed to make a level approach.   The end-footer form is ready.
09/30/09.   Dirt had to be removed to make a level approach.   The end-footer form is ready.

Waiting for the concrete truck.   (rb)
Waiting for the concrete truck.

Double-checking the temporary braces.   (rb)
Double-checking the temporary braces.

09/30/09.   The braces will be removed when the concrete sets up.   The contractor checks for level.
09/30/09.   The braces will be removed when the concrete sets up.   The contractor checks for level

10/03/09.   Work starts on assembling the deck.
10/03/09.   Work starts on assembling the deck.

10/03/09.   First the stringers must be attached, precisely.
10/03/09.   First the stringers must be attached, carefully

10/04/09.   The next day joists got attached to the stringers.
10/04/09.   The next day joists got attached to the stringers.

 
Matkin Bridge Construction

10/04/09.   Manpower at work, no material-moving machines here.
10/04/09.   Manpower at work, no material-moving machines here.

 
Matkin Bridge Construction

10/04/09.   Making plans for the next stage, which will continue next weekend.
10/04/09.   Making plans for the next stage, which will continue next weekend.

The form was removed.   (rb)
The form was removed.

Dirt was moved into place.   (rb)
Dirt was moved into place.

10/10/09.   The following weekend and the joists have reached the end-footer.
10/10/09.   The following weekend.   The joists reach the end-footer.

More bracing has to be installed before the decking can be nailed down.
More bracing has to be installed before the decking can be nailed down.

10/10/09.   "X" bracing works best.
10/10/09.   'X' bracing works best.

10/10/09.   The spacers between the joists are in place.
10/10/09.   The spacers between the joists are in place.

It is getting late.   (rb)
It is getting late.

10/10/09.   Work will continue tomorrow -- unless it snows (20% chance).
10/10/09.   Work will continue tomorrow

10/11/09.   The next day, the braces are done and more decking appears.
10/11/09.   The next day, the braces are done and more decking appears

10/11/09.   The holes being drilled into the bridge fence will receive the railing.
10/11/09.   The holes being drilled into the bridge fence will receive the railing

10/11/09   Railing upright posts have to be bolted to the outside joists.
10/11/09   Railing upright posts have to be bolted to the outside joists

10/11/09.   Holes are drilled through the upright and into the joist.
10/11/09.   Holes are be drilled through the upright and into the joist

Then the nuts and bolts are installed and tightened.   (rb)
 Then the nuts and bolts are installed and tightened.

10/11/09.   Ron is moving the ladder to the other side.
10/11/09.   Ron is moving the ladder to the other side.

10/11/09.   Checking for level.   Note that all the braces below the deck are in place.
0/11/09.   Checking for level.   Note that all the braces below the deck are in place

10/11/09.   Screws are used to fasten down the decking.
10/11/09.   Screws are used to fasten down the decking

10/11/09.   Will the decking be finished today?
10/11/09.   Will the decking be finished today?

Looks like it.   (rb)
Looks like it.

10/18/09.   It's the next Sunday afternoon and railings are being installed. (dfr)
10/18/09.   It's the next Sunday afternoon and railings are being installed.

10/18/09.   Portable generators run the power tools. (dfr)
10/18/09.   Portable generators run the power tools.

10/18/09.   The railings are coming along. (dfr)
10/18/09.   The railings are coming along.

10/18/09.   The railings are almost done. (dfr)
10/18/09.   The railings are almost done.

Finishing touches.   (rb)
Finishing touches.

10/18/09.   It's later that Sunday afternoon, and the west approach is finished.
10/18/09.   It's later that Sunday afternoon, and the west approach is finished.

10/18/09.   The dirt ramp at the end of the approach will be created later.
10/18/09.   The dirt ramp at the end of the approach will be created later

10/18/09   Volunteers go to help the east-side workers finish up.
10/18/09   Volunteers go to help the east-side workers finish up

10/18/09.   Looking from the south.
10/18/09.   Looking from the south

Dirt was built up on the trail.   (rb)
Dirt was built up on the trail.

Then the trail was rocked.   (rb)
Then the trail was rocked.

Winter. The gate has finally been installed.   (jfr 03/05/10)
Winter. The gate has finally been installed.

Photos by Jeff Fitz-Randolph, David Fitz-Randolph (dfr) & Ron Blair (rb)

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