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Larson Design Group (LDG), an award-winning, employee-owned national architecture, engineering, and consulting firm, recently joined with county officials and other project stakeholders for a rededication and ribbon-cutting of the historic Factory Covered Bridge in Union County, PA.
LDG served as Design Engineer and provided Construction Inspection for the complex rehabilitation of the bridge that was first built in 1880 and crosses White Deer Creek. The project addressed deficiencies in both the original covered bridge and later steel bridge elements by replacing the bridge deck, installing new steel I-beams, reconstructing abutment seats, installing a far abutment jacket, stabilizing the channel with rock protection, masonry repointing, replacing metal roof panels, and repaving the bridge approaches.
During work on the structural timbers, it was discovered that the roof panels and wood slats showed signs of severe deterioration and needed to be replaced. This was also true with the far portal timber horizontal, and one roof rafter. LDG understood that the replacement of these elements was a must if the finished product was to achieve its expected lifecycle. However, so that this additional work did not impact the original contract budget for the project and Union County, LDG’s Construction Inspection team found cost savings in work items, negotiated work orders, and managed inspection hours.
RELATED: Explore LDG’s Bridge Engineering & Construction Inspection Offerings
“Union County has done an excellent job replacing and rehabilitating bridges throughout the county and it’s been a pleasure to work on several of them,” said LDG Senior Project Manager Duane Gaugler. “They always have an eye toward the future and have done a great job of managing their assets and leveraging available funding for projects like these.”
The project – which was 100 percent funded by federal dollars made available to the County by enacting a $5 Vehicle Use Fee – was completed ahead of the initial bid schedule of spring 2024, and the bridge re-opened to traffic with the ribbon-cutting on November 2.
ABOUT LDG
Founded in 1986, LDG is an award-winning, 100 percent employee-owned national architecture, engineering, and consulting firm with 17 offices in seven states and a vision to elevate client relationships, enrich the careers and lives of its employee-owners, and enhance the communities in which it operates.
For more than 30 years, we have been teaming with clients nationwide to provide responsive, innovative solutions by offering an extraordinary depth and breadth of capabilities and embracing sustainable business practices. For more information, visit About – Larson Design Group.