Village Pedestrian Bridge Inspections

DGL was retained by the Village of Blissfield to inspect and provide rehabilitation recommendations for two pedestrian bridges within the Village. The two structures span the River Raisin, providing a connection between Ellis Park and Clara Backmayer Memorial Park. The first structure, a single-span timber arch structure built in 1977, showed signs of decay. The second, a single-span steel truss constructed in 1997, was in good shape.

DGL conducted a comprehensive, hands-on inspection of the timber bridge, evaluating its main structural components. The inspection covered the twin timber arches, steel hanger rods, timber floor beams, stringers, deck boards, concrete abutments, arch steel shoe connections, and timber fencing and handrails. The inspection of all timber elements consisted of surface sounding and micro-coring to assess deterioration depth. Assumptions in our structural load rating eliminated the need to test micro-core samples for in-situ water content, though samples were retained in case testing became necessary.

The inspection results were documented in a report that included load ratings for all bridge structural components, along with repair recommendations and associated cost estimates.

The steel truss structure inspection was a visual field inspection that produced a report of documented findings as well as recommendations for minor maintenance repairs.