Mountain Extension - Official Work Thread

[Mike Fox]

Two more questions:

Is the new fill on the slide wider on top than the original was?

Is the fill material falling to its angle of repose?

First, yes. It is wider.

Second, no. He will be adding material and stone to the face.

[Brendan Barry]

The precast concrete blocks arrived today for the retaining wall being installed at location 6 "the pinch point".

[Bill Baskerville]

Are those small pins that look about 6 to 8 inches in diameter interlocking pins to go in the holes in some of the blocks?

[Mike Fox]

These blocks interlock as they stack. Groove seen in the top of the bottom 2 blocks in the stacks acts as a receptacle to the nubs that are on the block that sets on it. Most of the bottom course will be below ground, 5 blocks wide. Next course is 6, then 7, then the top row is 8 blocks long.

Once the bottom course is set, the rest will be easy.

[Carl G. Soderstrom]

From here they are nice looking blocks.

Will you use the same for the bridge abutment?

[Mike Fox]

We thought we were going to need a bunch for the bridge, because the track was going to need to be raised a couple feet. But, with modifications to the final design, the track height does not need to be raised much. This time next year we will know exactly what is needed. None will be used to support the bridge or track structures, purely a retaining wall.

[Fred Morse]

Another pickup load of pine went to our friend on cross road today. A truckload of ashes went to the transfer station also. Then it got to HOT!

[Carl G. Soderstrom]

So it will look like an original abutment? Sort of?

[Gary Kraske]

Outlets in the retaining wall for ground water relief or are the open joints enough?

[Mike Fox]

Drain pipe in the bottom, backfilled with 1 1/2 stone with filter fabric between the stone and earth.

Carl, wood pile abuttments, with a wood cap for the bridge. Stone filled tmber crib for the approach spans

[Duncan Mackiewicz]

It is quite obvious that a tremendous amount of planning has gone into this bridge project. The use of materials that are far more state of the art than what has been used in the past is good to see for the longevity of this project. What a great team the museum has in the gang that is planning and producing this bridge! 

[Bob Springs]

Well said, Duncan!  Well said.

[John Kokas]

I think we need to give a lot of credit to our bridge engineer, Mike, and Jason for all the planning done ahead of time.  I will give Mike a special shout out as having worked in construction myself, Mike's experience in sitework and heavy equipment ops is invaluable as there are many things about the ROW construction and bridge prep that you only learn on the job and through many years of experience.  It's not something you can learn from a book or class.  Way to go guys !!! 

[Mike Fox]

Thank you guys, but we are not doing it for recognition. We are doing it for the love of the museum, and the desire to provide the best possible outcome for all of our challenges that we have faced.

So, speaking of the love.. I spent more time at the north end today. Ready for more gravel to arrive tomorrow.

[Mike Fox]

Oh, and I repositioned the remaining wood for Freds crew. Thank you Fred