Owner:
Delaware County, New York

Contractor:
Delaware County Department of Public Works

Preliminary Design Engineer:
David Fichetti, P.E.
Cary, NC
Final Design Engineer:
Phillip C. Pierce, P.E.
Treadwell, NY

Project Description:

The Fitch's Covered Bridge was built 1870 at a site in the Village of Delhi. In 1885, it was disassembled and moved to its current site about 3 miles upstream. The 100-ft bridge is supported by Town Lattice trusses. The current site is apparently shorter than that of the original construction in Delhi as evidenced by truss end modifications that effectively shortened the span by about 8 feet. Age was catching up with the span and a major rehabilitation was necessary.

The assignment involved a complete analytical evaluation of the structure and design of an extensive rehabilitation. The bridge will be lengthened to its original configuration. Both upper and lower bottom chords and about one-half of the lattice will be replaced with sawn timbers. The entire floor system will be replaced and some of the overhead bracing will be replaced. The original dry laid stone abutment on the south side and the concrete faced north abutment will be salvaged with minor modification of the concrete caps.

An unusual field load testing program was initiated prior to the rehabilitation of the bridge to evaluate load sharing among various truss members by the use of special strain gauge equipment. This testing is believed to be the first of its kind for covered bridges.

The work was completed late 2001.