"Bill" Matkin Bridge
Construction of the Matkin Bridge Approaches
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.
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.
Larry and Bob remove some trees that are in the way.
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 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)
They can't find the north end of the pipe, yet.
Update -- They found the inlet pipe. (rb)
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).
The east approach construction has started. (rb)
Checking that the work is done correctly. (rb)
09/29/09
09/29/09. The braces will stay in place until the concrete foundations set up.
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.
10/04/09. 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.
The joists are fastened to the stringers by metal fixtures.
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.
10/07/09. 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 joists need spacers between each joist for stability.
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 view from across the road.
Deck boards are fastened in place. (rb)
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. Curved approaches are more difficult to build.
Trimming everything to fit. (rb)
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. Almost finished for the day. Next weekend they plan to finish up.
Time to start installing the railings. (rb)
We don't want anybody falling off. (rb)
10/18/09. It's the next Sunday afternoon and railings are being installed. (dfr)
The posts have to be cut level. (rb)
10/18/09. The joists now have reached the end-footer. (dfr)
10/18/09. Upright railing posts have to be cut to the right height. (dfr)
10/18/09. Bill and Ron consult on the best way to do this. (dfr)
10/18/09. Is this a happy worker, or is he just mugging for the camera?. (dfr)
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. Chris says, "I need more screws!!"
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. Looking back. The dirt-work will be done later.
Almost done with the railings. (rb)
10/18/09. Looking from the south.
All done with the east side approach construction. Next comes dirt-work by contractors. (rb)
Dirt was built up against the end-footer. (rb)
The old railroad roadbed section was smoothed out. (rb)
Then the trail was rocked. (rb)
Looking east along the railroad roadbed. A parking lot is to the left. (rb)
A roller was used to pack down the stone surface. The parking lot is to the right of the roller. (rb)
West Approach Construction
Now for the west side. Work begins on the approach. (rb)
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.
Waiting for the concrete truck. (rb)
Double-checking the temporary braces. (rb)
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. First the stringers must be attached, precisely.
10/04/09. The next day joists got attached to the stringers.
10/04/09. Manpower at work, no material-moving machines here.
10/04/09. Making plans for the next stage, which will continue next weekend.
The form was removed. (rb)
Dirt was moved into place. (rb)
10/10/09. The following weekend and the joists have reached the end-footer.
More bracing has to be installed before the decking can be nailed down.
10/10/09. "X" bracing works best.
10/10/09. The spacers between the joists are in place.
It is getting late. (rb)
10/10/09. Work will continue tomorrow -- unless it snows (20% chance).
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 Railing upright posts have to be bolted to the outside joists.
10/11/09. Holes are drilled through the upright and into the joist.
Then the nuts and bolts are installed and tightened. (rb)
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.
10/11/09. Screws are used to fasten down the decking.
10/11/09. Will the decking be finished today?
Looks like it. (rb)
10/18/09. It's the next Sunday afternoon and railings are being installed. (dfr)
10/18/09. Portable generators run the power tools. (dfr)
10/18/09. The railings are coming along. (dfr)
10/18/09. The railings are almost done. (dfr)
Finishing touches. (rb)
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 Volunteers go to help the east-side workers finish up.
10/18/09. Looking from the south.
Dirt was built up on the trail. (rb)
Then the trail was rocked. (rb)
Winter. The gate has finally been installed. (jfr 03/05/10)
Photos by Jeff Fitz-Randolph, David Fitz-Randolph (dfr) & Ron Blair (rb)
