How to Rehabilitate a Historic Bridge

Garver recently made a presentation to 80 engineering students and faculty at the University of Arkansas about the War Eagle Bridge restoration project. Chris Wilbourn, the project's lead structural engineer, discussed aspects of the project and shared information about the design and construction process. Garver engineers Natalie and Nathan Becknell and Jeff Webb also attended and were available to answer questions.

Stretching across War Eagle Creek, the century-old steel truss bridge was built to allow the adjacent War Eagle Mill to transport flour to local markets without fording the river. The 300-foot bridge is only one of a handful of steel truss bridges in Arkansas, and it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Beginning with a comprehensive field and structural inspection study in 2005, Garver provided planning, design, and construction observation and administration to rehabilitate the main truss span and the approach spans and restore the stone piers, timber deck, steel stringers, floor beams, truss, and bearing supports.

More information on this project will be available in Garver's December issue of IQ, our quarterly newsletter.