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About Siletz news / (Siletz, OR) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 1, 2009)
Photos by Jay Christensen TRIBAL PROGRAM NEWS Bridge, con’t from page 1 including those designed specifically for log the Coast Range and ended up being an hauling, are one of the firm's specialties. excellent company with which to work. fhe Natural Resources Department Stream protection was the highest told McGee that we wanted something relatively low cost and low maintenance that would last for decades and be of suf ficient strength to support logging equip priority in planning and implementing ment and log trucks. It also needed to be a variety of fish, including Chinook and Coho salmon, steelhead, cutthroat trout and eels, and is home of one of the Tribe's high enough above the stream to pass any debris that might float down during the high waters of winter storms. cultural fishing sites just upstream from the bridge location. The engineering firm came up with a having an impact on the stream had to be number of options that were then provided completed during the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s in-stream work pe to Tribal Council. The council opted to dispose of the old rail car and put in a permanent pre-stressed concrete bridge placed on pilings. All work that had the potential of riod that ran from July 15 to Sept. 15. The appraisal provided by McGee, the Natural stream itself had to be diverted through cul verts to minimize the chance of sediment getting into the stream during excavation and rip-rapping of the stream banks. Resources Department sent out a prospectus A temporary bridge was installed to and bid package to several bridge construc provide equipment access to both sides tion companies. The contract was awarded of the stream (equipment couldn't be run over the old bridge for fear of it collapsing and falling into the stream). With design specifications and cost to Mike Adams Construction of Stayton at a cost of just under $165,(XX). Mike Ad ams has extensive experience in placing concrete bridges over forest streams in 4 the project. Little Rock Creek supports • Siletz News • The project eventually required the use of two track hoes, a bulldozer, a January 2009 vibratory compactor, a number of dump trucks, two cranes and a pile driver. Above each bank of the stream, four steel-beam pilings were driven into the earth to a depth of 15 to 20 feet, which calculates to around nine feet below the streambed. Concrete abutments were poured on top of the pilings to support the four new concrete beams that make up the new bridge running surface. These beams were then bolted together with long-threaded rods. The final stage was to pour the con crete side bump rails and wing walls and install the gate. Also included in the proj ect was construction and rocking of a new all-weather access road from Logsden Road to the new bridge. Tribal Natural Resources staff then spread grass seed and laid straw on all disturbed soil to prevent sediment from eroding into the creek. The new low-maintenance bridge is a nice improvement to the Tribe's hatchery property and a good investment for gen erations to come. Future plans include reopening and rocking the road into the property on the far side of the creek. Top left: The old bridge has debris eaught underneath it. Top right: Steel beam pilings are driven 20 feet into the ground to help support the bridge. Bottom left: The stream is diverted into culverts to protect water quality. Bottom right: Concrete bridge beams are lowered into place.
