This message is being sent to all of you who have volunteered along the Buckeye Trail in the Cuyahoga Valley. We are faced with an urgent problem. A 30’ bridge along the trail has been closed and must be removed. This bridge located on the trail between Boston and Boston Mills Road was recently closed permanently by the National Park Service. This bridge was built by the National Park Service when BTA agreed that horsemen could use Buckeye Trail while the Turnpike Commission was rebuilding the Ohio Turnpike bridges across the Cuyahoga Valley. During that time, the service road that horsemen use as part of the Valley Trail was closed. The hidden part of this story, at least to me, was that the Medina Horseman’s Council paid for the bridge. Thus, although the Park built the bridge, the bridge was never their responsibility. So, when the Turnpike Bridge construction was complete and the Buckeye Trail was once again closed to horses, the bridge became the responsibility of BTA. Not knowing or understanding the terms of the deal, BTA allowed critical supports beneath the bridge to become undermined. I did know that we were lucky enough to have a fine bridge along this segment of trail. I did not know that we were responsible for inspection and maintenance. Now, the bridge is liable to collapse at any time, hence the closure. The bridge was built to a standard that could carry the load of horse and rider. We are permitted reconstruct a bridge up to 20’ long nearby that can carry pedestrian traffic from the materials that we can salvage from the existing structure. However, we must first dismantle it. Some of this will be quite easy but some of this may be difficult. Although the bridge was assembled using treated lumber, bolts and screws, some time has elapsed. During that time, the elements and use may have corroded and eroded the screws sufficiently that we can not simply unscrew them. We may have to resort to brute force and awkwardness. So the question becomes, when can we meet to begin this process? Are weekends best for us? Please respond to this note with statements about your willingness to help and when. Based on those responses, I will announce a date to do the deed. Remember that the need is urgent. We must get on this as soon as possible. Be as generous with your time as possible. Jim [email protected]
Posted on: Thu, 01 Aug 2013 01:48:38 +0000
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