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
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Siletz News
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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.