bailey bridge website
 

thought this might be interesting

http://www.baileybrug.info/index2.htm

all about bailey bridges

Wim

Today I photographed the Bailey Bridge north of Mol, Belgium.

I was amazed to see this bridge still in use after it was built in 1944/1945 to replace the original bridge which was blown up in 1940. And "still in use" means it is part of road with heavy traffic, cars cross it all day long. It has traffic lights either side to control the traffic!

H.

There is something wrong with that
 

Hi Hanno


There is something really wrong with a bridge lasting 60+ years what ever happened to planned obsolescence. Just think of all the construction works who are unemployed not having to replace that bridge every 20 years.

But kidding aside I wonder how much has had to be replaced over the years?

In the last 10 years here in New Hampshire they have made the technological jump of going back to building timber bridges. Seems that in certain applications they actually out last concrete.

Cheers Phil

Hi Phil,

The only explanation I can think of is "the Belgian way of doing things". But don't ask how it works. Even though they speak the same language and live close to us Dutchmen, they are truly a different people. Have a look at the website Wim posted originally, and be amazed by the number of Bailey bridges still in use. There are pictures of one having its wooden decking replaced and the lower steelwork shotblasted. That would be a good time to replace the whole bridge, wouldn't you think? Especially taking into consideration it's modular construction.

The one I pictured has been repainted several times, but some of the sections had severly suffered under rust. I really do not think it will survive much longer under the heavy load of 100's of vehicles each day.

But it is a nice tribute to Mr. Bailey's design! :salute:

Hanno

I've worked with a Belgian raised as a Canadian. The term hard-headed doesn't even come close to how stubborn this guy can be. That, and cheap!

Bailey Bridge in Petawawa
 

Here is an image of a Bailey that is in-situ near Petawawa for use duing the winter by skidooers.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...awa2005009.jpg

Picture taken by a friend on 06-06-2015: still in use!

Attachment 74212

bailey bridge
 

Gents, my father was an Army engineer squadron CO and a Bailey bridge his unit set up during an exercise in the late 50's or so is still standing in North Hatley Québec. They are very durable.

Bob, the bridge on the Massawippi River between Lennoxville and North Hatley was still there 2 or 3 yrs ago. It was rebuilt by the province. When I looked it over, the panels were not marked Bailey. Have to go look again next time I am visiting.

Let's have some fun with Goofle Street View ... https://www.google.ca/maps/@45.32996...dpT78rWGLQ!2e0

Bailey bridge
 

Hi Terry, amazing, that's the one. I remember going to the bridge with my father on his bucket list tour before he died 6 years ago. Right after that i brought him to the nearby Fairview Farm run by the Herring family since 1780. On the farm was an airfield where i had arranged a six ship missing man formation for him as a farwell. My flybuddies really really showed great compassion towards my father who at the time was dying from lung cancer. I was flying the missing man ship and came out of the formation right hand side and up and then did a wingover and descended over the field at 0 elevation in front of Dad. I pulled up over said Bailey Bridge and rejoigned my buddies in the formation. Dad enjoyed immensly. Strange thing we do these flights when Veterans in our area die but they never get to see us. I wanted Dad to see my team in action doing the Missing Man. He gave the tumbs up and passed a few days later. It is still emotional for me....Robert.