Covered Bridges

Paul Hancook posted on December 14, 2010 16:17

ART THURESON, INC 4000 West Walton Waterford, MI 48329

Phone: 248–623-8599 Fax: 248-623-8766

Covered Bridges

Art Thureson, Inc has been supplying contractors with various types of timber products for over twenty five years. We supply timber and steel bridges, walkways, construction lumber (large and odd pieces), crane mats, piling, etc. We provide material to Contractors doing Heavy Hwy, County, State DOT, DNR, Parks and Rec, ETC type of work. Art Thureson, Inc has supplied dozens of covered bridge jobs and rehabilitations. The challenge is matching existing wood members and specie manufactured under old production methods to current production standards. Listed below are just a few covered bridge projects supplied:

Ford Field Covered Bridge. Wayne County MI

The Community Ford Field Park includes activities similar to the neighborhood parks but also serve as the location for activities such as organized sports, picnics and gatherings. Located in Dearborn, MI.

Harris Covered Bridge-Benton County, OR

Designed in the typical Howe truss style, this 1929 structure exemplifies all that is romantic about covered bridges. The Harris Bridge is located along a winding gravel road near Wren. It is named after the Harris family who settled out side of Corvallis Oregon in 1890.

Jackson Covered Bridge-Parke County, IN

The Jackson Covered Bridge over Sugar Creek is was rehabilitated with $1.4 million in Federal Aid. The project included the removal of the roof and siding. The bridge frame was moved off of the abutments for the rehabilitation. The bridge was removed from the abutments in February 2007. The bridge was put back on the abutments in August 2007.

See the step by step photos of this bridge being rehabilitated on our website: www.artthuresoninc.com

Or visit: www.parkecountyliving.com for complete photos that will show you the whole process from start to completion

Eldean Covered Bridge-Miami county, OH

The Eldean Covered Bridge was built over the Great Miami River in 1860 for Miami County by the Hamilton Brothers of nearby Piqua. Its 224 feet place it among Ohio's longest covered bridges and the longest in the nation that follows an 1830 Stephen H. Long patent. The Long system added strength through a series of hand-driven wedges. Placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975, the bridge was restored in 2005/2006. The Eldean Covered Bridge was part of the History channel program called “Back to the blueprint” which discussed how covered bridges were designed and constructed.

Windsor-Mechanicsville Covered Bridge-Ashtabula County, OH

Ashtabula County Ohio is the home of 16 covered bridges. This picture shows the covered bridge during repair. The bridge has a Howe

Truss design that spans 154’ and was built in 1867.

Brighton Covered Bridge. Island Pond, VT


East elevation of the bridge showing south approach stairs and main span over the railroad tracks	West elevation of the bridge


South end of the bridge with roof added	Interior of main bridge section

After many years of hard work by the Town of Brighton and support from the Vermont Agency of Transportation, the Brighton Pedestrian Bridge was realized. The bridge consists of three sets of elevated wooden stairs on timber piers, a 112 foot long Howe truss main span and covered stairs on grade. The total length of the covered portion of the bridge and approaches is 327 feet.

Ritner Covered Bridge-Polk county, OR

The Ritner Covered Bridge is 75’ Long and was built in 1927 that has a Howe Truss design. The Ritner Creek Covered Bridge was the Last covered Bridge on an Oregon State Highway. In 1976, the bridge was lifted from its foundation and relocated downstream from its original site and replaced with a concrete structure. The bridge was rehabilitated in 2007.

Shinn Covered Bridge-Washington County, OH