Owner:
The State of Connecticut

Client:
McFarland-Johnson, Inc.
Binghamton, NY

Specialty Subconsulting Engineer:
Phillip C. Pierce, P.E.
Treadwell, NY

Project Description:

The Comstock Covered Bridge spans the Salmon River in East Hampton, Connecticut. The structure comprises a main span of about 90 feet supported by Howe trusses and an approach span of about 36 feet supported by pony truss queenpost trusses. The pony truss is one of the very few extant covered pony truss spans in the United States. The date of construction of the bridge is unknown, but probably dates from the later part of the 1800s. The bridge serves only pedestrian traffic.

My specialty subconsulting assignments included leading a thorough field inspection of the bridge which necessitated removal of some of the siding to allow visual examination of critical portions of the bridge. It also included an analytical review of the capacity of the bridge. The capacity determination included an unusual need to calculate the allowable stresses of Chestnut main members using ASTM procedures. The assignment culminated with identification of recommended repairs.

The State is pursuing additional sources of funding for the upcoming rehabilitation contract. Evaluation completed in 2003.