When this bridge was being 'repaired', my husband, the late Joseph D Panioli, took numerous photos of the project.
He and his parents were longtime residents of Downsville.
Donated 23 July, 2018 by his wife Sue O’Dell Panioli. - click photos to view larger
Notes on Downsville Covered Bridge photos
1--Downsville Covered Bridge in background
Constructed 1854, renovated 9-98 after 144 years.
Glue/laminated replacement chord members (main support) members in foreground. 174 feet X 8 3/4 X 13 3/4
Estimated cost of renovations--$900,000 to $1,000,000.
2--174 ft long 8 3/4 X 13 3/4 bottom chord glue/lam member and 5 X 13 3/4 side plate glue/lam member to replace existing 144 year old "spliced" hemlock bottom chord timbers. Laminations are 1 3/8" think southern yellow pine stress-graded lumber.
3--Renovations in progress--downstream truss sheething removed.
4--Detail showing original splice plate on bottom chord (has been cut through for removal).
5--Original joint detail--vertical/diagonal members, downstream truss.
6--(And the reason for the expense) Joint detail at bottom chord. Note rot of vertical and horizontal timbers on bearing ends. Also note deteriortaing bolt fasteners.
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