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The temporary bridge on Garnet Lake Road being installed.
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The temporary bridge on Garnet Lake Road being installed.
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Temporary hinged portable bridge to replace Garnet Lake Road Bridge.
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The temporary bridge on Garnet Lake Road being installed.
JOHNSBURG — Preliminary soil tests beneath the Garnet Lake Road Bridge did not come back favorably, possibly sending officials back to the drawing board.
A temporary bridge, purchased at a cost of $47,000, was placed adjacent to the structure in December after it was deemed in danger of collapse last fall.
Town Highway Superintendent Daniel Hitchcock was hopeful the soil would prove suitable for corrugated pile driving, which provide a strong base for footers for a permanent replacement bridge.
“The drilling didn’t go so good,” he said. “We hit boulders the size of cars.”
The failing and temporary structures are so close, they are almost touching, said Hitchcock. That prevents the installation of the metal as originally planned, as they will not be able to drill through the large rock.
“It means we will probably be looking at a pre-fab bridge,” said Hitchcock.
Supervisor Ron Vanselow was unaware of the results of any testing early in the week, but said he would look into the information when reached by phone.
Decisions on how to proceed, he said, would depend on conversations with Hitchcock and the engineers.
Original estimates for repairs to the bridge came in at $350,000. The bridge was one of four named needing replacement or extensive repairs over the next year totaling an estimated $750,000.
The temporary bridge was purchased based on estimated costs at renting one and fears the project could take longer than anticipated. Poor soil test results were one of those fears. In the long run, said Hitchcock, the bridge will pay for itself as there are several more bridge projects in the future for the town. It is possible the town could also rent the structure to other towns or the county, when not in use.
