Triphammer and Piney Fork

Description: This project will extend an existing section of Montour Trail from the Triphammer Road access area eastward 0.7 miles to an intersection with Piney Fork Road. See green dotted path on image 1 below.

This project requires a new bridge across Piney Fork Creek at mile 38.4. An existing bridge truss on the ground at Quicksilver access area was recycled for the new bridge. The bridge abutments were completed in late 2008 and the bridge was moved to the site on March 23, 2010 and placed on the abutments on Mar 24, 2010. Volunteers decked the bridge in late April 2010.

The bridge will also require construction of new abutments, wingwalls, and a ramp from Triphammer Road. In February 2011 volunteers cleared trees and vegetation from the ramp site and March fill material removed from the JR Taylor Bridge site on the Bethel Branch was trucked to the ramp site and compacted in place.

Other project tasks include excavation of a cut from the trail to Piney Fork Road, stream bank rehabilitation at mile 38.5, and installing 0.7 miles of new trail surface.

Current Status: Partially funded. Work in progress.

Estimated Completion: Not entirely funded. Assuming funding obtained, ramp and wingwall construction 2012, final project completion in late 2012 or 2013.

History:

• October to December 2008: Bridge abutments constructed and original railroad bridge removed.
• January 2008 to July 2009: Rehabilitation and painting of existing truss bridge at Quicksilver by volunteers and contract personnel.
• March 23-24, 2010: Transport of bridge from Quicksilver to Piney Fork and installation on abutments.
• April 10 to May 1, 2010: Bridge decked by volunteers.
• February 12, 2011: Volunteers clear trees and brush from ramp site.
• March 2011: Contractor hauls 300 cubic yards of fill from JR Taylor Bridge site to Triphammer Ramp site and compacts to create a haul road from Triphammer to the Bridge.