Martinsville Bulletin, Inc.
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Martinsville, Virginia 24115
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| Trusses will be erected in park |
This conceptual drawing depicts how trusses from the old Fieldale Iron Bridge will be set in Fieldale Park. The trusses are shown on what will be a new trail addition. (Contributed drawing) |
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
The iron bridge that spanned the Smith River in Fieldale for the better part of a century is close to being part of the area once again.
The Dan River Basin Association is spearheading an effort to erect two trusses from the bridge, which was dismantled in June, along a new trail in the Fieldale Park. With the help of donations from area businesses and residents, DRBA officials hope to complete the project by Christmas, said Jennifer Doss, rivers and trails manager with DRBA.
“The installation of these trusses as trail art will allow visitors to walk ‘across’ the bridge while learning about the history of the 71-year old structure and of the community of Fieldale,” Doss said in a news release.
The 54-foot-long trusses were salvaged when the bridge was dismantled to make way for a new, more modern bridge. Doss and DRBA have coordinated with several businesses to have work done on the project free or at reduced rates, said Brian Williams, DRBA education and outreach coordinator.
Dishman Environmental of Danville agreed to clean the trusses, which involves removing layers of old paint, Doss said in the release. As sections of the trusses are cleaned, Reliable Welding & Fabricators of Bassett is modifying the shortened trusses so that they will have a symmetrical shape, “reminiscent of the bridge as it once was,” the release said.
C.D. Stapleton, president of Reliable, said in the release that he and his company “feel privileged to be part of the Fieldale Iron Bridge Preservation project. As a small company founded in Henry County 30 years ago, we understand the importance of community and proudly celebrate the heritage of our area. While our company focuses on the needs of local manufacturers and business organizations, this project is allowing us to contribute to our friends and neighbors by preserving a portion of an iconic landmark that served our area.”
Throughout the process of cleaning and welding, nearly 30,000 pounds of metal will be moved and lifted with cranes by Hall’s Mechanical, which is owned by Fieldale native Corky Hall, the release said.
The work is being done behind the gates of Northpoint Trading, where the trusses have been stored for several months.
However, work is scheduled to begin soon in the Fieldale Park, the release said. There, Boxley Materials of Fieldale will pour concrete footers on which the trusses will rest. Boxley is doing the work at no charge, Doss said in the release.
Once the concrete is dry, Hall’s Mechanical will load the trusses onto a tractor-trailer provided by Craddock Logging Supply & Repair of Ridgeway so that they may be moved to the park and set on the concrete footers, the release said.
According to Williams, a trail will be built from the back of the park through the bridge trusses and to the road. Rocks will be placed beneath the trusses so people will feel as if they are walking over the old bridge, Williams said.
In addition to donations from businesses, the project is being paid for through donations. Ninety percent of the approximately $11,000 cost has been raised, Williams said.
Others who have helped with the project include Henry County, the Virginia Department of Transportation, DLB Construction, the Fieldale Community Center, Joey Arrington, Shane Pinkston and Rayford Smith, the release said.
Funds are being raised through the sale of memorial plaques that will be placed on the trusses when they are erected.
Elva Adkins of Fieldale purchased a plaque to remember her late father, H.O. “Hub” Adkins, who in the 1940s drove across “the old bridge many times each day in his long truck,” she said in the release. Adkins challenged others “to make a donation for each time you sideswiped the old bridge” coming across it.
According to Williams and DRBA’s Web site, sections of the bridge are available to those who donate specific amounts. To purchase a plaque or for more information on the project, contact Doss at 634-2545 or drba.va@danriver.org.
In addition to DRBA, its Martinsville-Henry County River & Trails Group, the Fieldale Heritage Festival and Henry County Parks and Recreation are working on the project, the release said.
A dedication ceremony to celebrate the historic bridge is being planned.
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