[IndianaTrails] FW: CANAL UPDATE -- bridge site on the "new" canal

[Kevin Heber]

 <http://www.indianatrails.org/> 
-----Original Message-----
From: Dan McCain [mailto:admin at canalcenter.org] 
Sent: Thursday, April 19, 2007 1:38 PM
To: mccain at carlnet.org
Subject: CANAL UPDATE -- bridge site on the "new" canal




 
SPRING BRINGS PROGRESS TO THE IRON BRIDGE SITE
 
Ah, Spring!  Finally there is progress on the site development where the
wrought iron 1905 Stearns Truss will be placed.  This section comprises the
VanScoy Towpath Trail behind Pizza Hut/Dairy Queen in west Delphi.
Contractor Jack Cohee is "gutsy" with his machinery working in the "muck and
mire" of this canal section. A recreated typical channel of this historic
waterway will include the "side slip" that has been long forgotten.
 
The Canal Association first had to wait on permits and then an
archaeological study of the bridge foundation site before this became a
reality.  Now with warmer weather the other phases of restoration of the
bridge itself are moving to the great outdoors.  Work on removing rust and
painting last winter up to now has been at Ed Gruber's farm where the
volunteers worked practically all winter indoors.  Ed provided the heat from
an old wood burning stove.
 
Water control for this excavation work requires both a pump and the shutting
down of diverted water into the upper portion of the canal from the quarry's
discharge of groundwater.  Managing the canal's waterlevel for spring
enjoyment along the trails and Canal Park is still possible.  The canal
(pontoon) boat "DELPHI" was launched earlier in April in time for the
official "opening of the canal" to shipping and transit as they would have
done in 1850.
 
Next big step in the restoration of the Stearns Truss is the placement of
the "caisson" foundations.  These big iron "tubes" standing fourteen feet
tall will be placed at the four corners to support the bridge.  They are
separated at each end of the bridge by a massive 8 by 15 foot vertical
plates that form the end of the deck where it meets the canal banks.
Repairs to these are still underway by Blacksmith Ross Brown.
 
As we continue to progress on this massive volunteer job we are experiencing
some major costs associated with purchase of materials and access to
construction machinery.  We would estimate our re-erection of the historic
"one-of-a-kind" truss on the flat field alongside the canal behind Dairy
Queen later this spring--then lifting and placement over the canal this
summer with the help of cranes.  Finally dedication ceremonies perhaps in
the fall.
 
If you are interested in supporting restoration of the Stearns Truss
consider donating time or money to this exciting project.  It is being
undertaken by the Wabash & Erie Canal Association and its energized crew of
volunteers.

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