SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Sacramento District will complete a design October 2012 to fix minor structural issues with the Knights Ferry Covered Bridge at Stanislaus River Parks near Oakdale, Calif.
“The bridge is in good shape, but some of the wood truss members and iron rods need to be repaired or replaced to meet current USACE engineering standards,” said Chris Abela, a civil engineer with the Sacramento District.
While there are no immediate concerns with the bridge, access will be temporarily restricted to light pedestrian traffic as a precautionary measure until repairs can be made. Construction will follow final design, pending funding availability.
The bridge was surveyed by the National Park Service and has been approved for inclusion as a historic landmark in the Library of Congress. NPS architects call the bridge “a perfect example” of bridge-building in the 19th century.
The 330-foot bridge, recognized as the longest covered bridge west of the Mississippi River, was built in 1864 to replace a bridge washed away during a historic flood two years prior. The New Melones Dam, built by the Corps in 1979, now reduces flood risk to the bridge, as well as to Knights Ferry and other towns downstream.
Video: http://bit.ly/LlXrOR
Photos: http://bit.ly/Nz406j
Historic photos: http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/CA1125/
Stanislaus River Parks website: http://www.spk.usace.army.mil/Locations/SacramentoDistrictParks/StanislausRiverParks
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Release no. 2012-P-023