Mike Corthell
The citizens of Fryeburg cast their ballots last November and soon the Red Iron Bridge will be gone, removed by the State of Maine.
In this article, I proposed that a new timber frame covered bridge be erected. There was some interest but building a full sized bridge to carry vehicular traffic could be a little too ambitious, not to mention pricey. My feeling was that it could be a showpiece of history - funded, at least in part, by grant money.
Today, I got a call from my good friend David Cullinan. He's come up with a less expensive option that might just be a great solution, one that I feel we all can support.
He said, ''Mike, how about a foot bridge?'' ''Might be a good compromise,'' I said. He asked if I would post something about it on Fryeburg & Friends.
A foot bridge is a bridge designed for pedestrians and in some cases cyclists, animal traffic and horse riders, rather than vehicular traffic. Footbridges can be designed to complement the landscape. In many countries, footbridges are both functional and can be beautiful works of art.
Sound good? And.... it just so happens that on Portland Street, here in Fryeburg, we are privileged to have a master timber framer, J. Scott Campbell who owns Maine Mountain Post & Beam. I've talked to him and he is interested in the project.
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| This is an arch truss design |
The citizens of Fryeburg cast their ballots last November and soon the Red Iron Bridge will be gone, removed by the State of Maine.
So what's next?
In this article, I proposed that a new timber frame covered bridge be erected. There was some interest but building a full sized bridge to carry vehicular traffic could be a little too ambitious, not to mention pricey. My feeling was that it could be a showpiece of history - funded, at least in part, by grant money.
Today, I got a call from my good friend David Cullinan. He's come up with a less expensive option that might just be a great solution, one that I feel we all can support.
He said, ''Mike, how about a foot bridge?'' ''Might be a good compromise,'' I said. He asked if I would post something about it on Fryeburg & Friends.
A foot bridge is a bridge designed for pedestrians and in some cases cyclists, animal traffic and horse riders, rather than vehicular traffic. Footbridges can be designed to complement the landscape. In many countries, footbridges are both functional and can be beautiful works of art.
Sound good? And.... it just so happens that on Portland Street, here in Fryeburg, we are privileged to have a master timber framer, J. Scott Campbell who owns Maine Mountain Post & Beam. I've talked to him and he is interested in the project.
Now what?
First, I would like to say that some type of bridge needs to be built and I think many agree with me. So I propose that a bridge committee be formed to look into it - simple as that.
If interested or you just want to put in your two cents call 603-986-8110 or email me.
If interested or you just want to put in your two cents call 603-986-8110 or email me.
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