Upper Little North Fork Bridge

The timber bridge over the Upper North Fork River was severely damaged by a fire, affecting the wing wall, timber abutment, deck, and asphalt surface. The glulam superstructure was not damaged and did not require replacement. To repair the structure, the damaged timber components—including the wing walls, abutment, and decking—were removed. The large timber strongbacks supporting the wing walls were anchored with 1¼” tie-back rods and straps to a buried concrete footing, which could not be disturbed without demolishing the abutment. The area was dewatered, and the face of the wing wall was exposed to allow for the replacement of the strongbacks without damaging the anchoring system. All timber components, including the guardrail supports and asphalt surface, were replaced, and the river bottom and boulder cladding were restored to pre-construction conditions.

The closure of the bridge for repairs caused significant disruption, with a four-hour detour impacting local logging operations and making logging unfeasible in the area due to the added cost and travel time. Despite this, the repair work was completed successfully, restoring the bridge to its original H-20 rating for logging trucks. The bridge now meets safety standards and is fully operational, with all components replaced and structurally reinforced to ensure long-term durability.