On Friday, May 16, 2025, the WAC Forestry Program hosted a pop-up logger training workshop at Cannonsville Lumber in Deposit, NY. The objective: replace the decking on the 50-foot bridge bound for Siuslaw Model Forest. 10 loggers attended, including 2 loggers from Cannonsville Lumber.
With thunderstorms forecasted for the afternoon, I was worried we might not get the job done in one day.
This is a Before photo, with old, rotten decking.
We soaked the frame’s rusty nuts and bolts with lubricant for 20 minutes and then jumped into action.
Pro tip: Lubricate those rusty nuts and bolts to avoid needing to cut them off later.
I didn’t even need to direct traffic. Simultaneously, new boards were cut to length, old boards were removed, and new ones put in their place. After maybe 1.5 hours, I looked up and realized that the final board was in place and guys were tightening the frame around the new decking.
An impact wrench is an important tool for this job.
Putting on the finishing touches.
Loggers make it happen.
We removed the inner panels so the bridge can be folded in half (lengthwise) before it is loaded onto a tractor-trailer.
I was amazed how quicky it went, but it makes sense considering the help we had. Afterwards we enjoyed some lunch, conversation, and a mill tour. It was a great day and we sincerely appreciate the help in getting this job done. Thanks to the loggers that attended, thanks to Cannonsville Lumber for pulling the bridge out of the weeds and sending 2 of their loggers to help us out. Thanks to WAC staff, including Brian LaTourrette, Heather Hilson, Tom Pavlesich, and Karl VonBerg.
If you want more details about replacing the decking on these bridges, check out the blogs below:
