Bridge repairs in progress on Pine River Bridge at McFarland Lake.
The Pine River Bridge, on the Arrowhead Trail (County Road 74) between McFarland and Little John lakes, was earmarked as in dire need of repair by former County Engineer Shae Kosmalski in September 2009. Kosmalski said the 50-year-old bridge may have reached the end of its lifespan and vehicle weight restrictions were put in place to ensure public safety. Last week, bridge repairs were completed and when the spring weight restrictions are lifted on the Arrowhead Trail, large delivery vehicles will once again be allowed to cross the bridge.
Cook County Highway Supervisor Russell Klegstad explained that the old bridge deck was removed and repairs were made as needed to the existing bridge structure itself. He said a new, heavier, deck was installed to replace the old decking and new heavy-duty hardware was used to replace the existing bolts in the structure.
Klegstad said, “The crew still has some cleanup and final grading to do to complete the project and we are looking to get that finished as soon as we lift the weight restrictions. The restricted weight ban has been removed from the bridge, but road bans remain in effect on County Road 16 north of the Shoe Lake road and on County Road 74.”
Klegstad added, “The bridge replacement went without incident and the only inconvenience caused was a short one-hour delay for a resident looking to cross to his cabin.”
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