By: Les Sdorow
SO:LEBURY – The Board of Supervisors Oct. 3 continued to deliberate about the renovation of the Cuttalossa Bridge near the intersection of Cuttalossa Road and Sugan Road.
The renovation will be performed by J.A. Taddei, a contractor from King of Prussia.
Township engineer Bob Williams reported that confusion over the proposed width of the rebuilt bridge that arose at the preceding meeting was simply a miscommunication about the specifications for the bridge. He said the bridge will measure 19 feet, 6 inches from the inside of one wall to the inside of the opposite wall and 21 feet, 6 inches in width from the outside of one wall to the outside of the opposite wall.
"Is that taking into account the stone veneer facing as well?" asked Supervisor William Tinsman.
"Yes, Bill, it does," Mr. Williams replied.
"The guide rail is wood?" Mr. Tinsman asked.
"Yes," Mr. Williams replied.
Supervisor Peter Grover noted stone veneer facing was recommended by the township engineer and by representatives of residents who live near the bridge.
"We discussed various options," Mr. Grover said. "During the demolition of the bridge we will retain stone and set it aside to perhaps reuse it. Or, instead, we will attempt to find a suitable veneer. We will have a pre-cast that can accept either."
Mr. Williams said, "I talked to a pre-caster who said it would cost about $14,000 to do veneer work. But he said it might be double that price. It depends in part on what we can get out of the creek bed. He’s looking for something that looks like Trinity Church’s color."
Supervisor Stephen Phillips said, "I think it’s important to match the stone walls nearby on Sugan Road."
He suggested the board authorize an expenditure for stone veneer subject to a committee reviewing samples presented by the contractor. He offered to be on the committee.
"I’ve talked with a stone mason about this bridge and indigenous stone," Mr. Tinsman said. "My understanding is that stone from the creek is perfect for veneer. It’s referred to as creek stone or fieldstone. He uses it all the time for veneer. There’s an abundance of that stone."
Mr. Tinsman volunteered to be on the committee that would select the stone. Mr. Grover also volunteered to be on the committee, but he withdrew his offer after Township Solicitor Steve Harris reminded board members they would be legally obligated to advertise any meeting attended by three or more board members.
When asked about the proposed thickness of the stone veneer, Mr. Tinsman responded, "My impression is that 4-inch veneer is the minimum."
Mr. Grover said, "We have an alternative of adding a steel channel behind the guide rail. We might want the extra rigidity. But what would a steel channel look like?"
Mr. Williams replied, "You won’t see it from the roadway. It will be covered by a wood facing. It will give rigidity and prevent the wood from warping."
At the request of Mr. Tinsman, the supervisors discussed the wisdom of using the proposed 2-inch by 12-inch wood guide rail with steel reinforcement versus using a 3-inch by 12-inch wood guide rail without steel reinforcement. Mr. Tinsman agreed steel reinforcement would be needed with a 2-inch by 12-inch guide rail. He noted it might be equally effective and less expensive to use a 3-inch by 12-inch rough-sawn treated wood guide rail.
"I have concern with approving a guide rail with steel without seeing it," Mr. Phillips said. "The Melsons would see it from their house. It would not be attractive if it had galvanized steel. We should examine the 3-inch alternative. If that costs more, we could come back to the board for approval."
Mr. Williams said, "I agree the 3-inch wood guide rail would solve the problem."
The supervisors decided to study the issue and discuss it again at an upcoming board meeting.
