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Stonemasons to converge for Goddard Bridge Project
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By DANETTA BARKER Staff Writer
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GODDARD -- Stone, man's oldest building material, formed the abutments of the many of the bridges that spanned creeks and rivers throughout Kentucky. In Goddard, dry stone masonry was used to build the abutments when the Goddard Covered Bridge was moved to its current location nearly 70 years ago.
Today, dry stone masons are working to rebuild the abutments, as construction begins on a project that has been one of the most controversial highway projects in Kentucky.
Contending with two years of delays, countless public meetings and the watchful eyes of residents, Intech Contractors is finally working on the famous bridge located on Kentucky 32. Cribbing has been installed and siding has been removed, leaving the old bridge looking like a skeleton, but with enough cover to provide workmen some relief from the drizzle of rain that has set in.
Dry stone mason Neil Rippingale uses the blocked-off shelter as a makeshift office to talk to his lone coworker or others who come to the bridge.
Rippingale and Ashley Meadows work for the Dry Stone Conservatory in Lexington. The two men have traveled the world building and repairing dry stone fences and walls. They will be in Fleming County for three weeks to repair the west abutment of the bridge.
"We are taking the old stone out, and we have brought in about 35 tons of new stone," Rippingale said. "We will use the old rock as much as possible, but the new dimensions of the bridge are slightly higher."
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| Dry stone mason Neil Rippingale, left, and assistant Ashley Meadows with Drystone Conservatory of Lexington work to set up forms before they begin building the stone abutments for the Goddard-White Covered Bridge in Fleming County Thursday. Brian Hitch/Staff |
Rippingale and Meadows are doing the preparation for next week's dry stone building blitz. Monday, six trained stonemasons from across Kentucky will be at the site to help rebuild the abutment.
Rippingale came to America from Scotland four years ago where he had been a stonemason for more than 20 years. He also teaches stonemasonry at the conservatory.
"We have done amazing projects all over the United States," Rippingale said.
The conservatory does many projects for the national parks system including a stone wall at the Civil War battlefield in Fredricksburg, Va.
While he lived in Scotland, Rippingale built a dry stone house that won the Pinnacle Award, Scotland's highest masonry award.
The conservatory has worked on several projects with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, which include other bridge abutments. Jane Wooley, restoration program manager, said the conservatory has had a working relation with the Transportation Cabinet since 1996.
"Our work with the Transportation Cabinet is to assist in developing professional dry stone masonry," Wooley said.
Wooley is working on a date in September or October for the conservatory masons to return to Goddard Bridge for a public workshop.
"At that time, we will be working on the east end abutment which doesn't require as high a level of mason as the current project," Wooley said.
The public workshop would allow volunteers to help with the dry stonemasonry.
Phil Mauney, Transportation Cabinet branch manager, said July 20 or 21, Intech will raise the bridge a few inches to allow the masons access.
"There has been a lot of behind-the scenes work to get to where we are now," Mauney said. "We have been pleased to have all the input from everyone."
The coordination of the Transportation Cabinet, Intech and the Dry Stone Conservatory has helped the project get started after delays of contract changes. Last year a new law in Kentucky, sponsored by Rep. Mike Denham, provided guidelines for future construction projects involving Kentucky's covered bridges.
The law states a public hearing with prior notice will be required before repairs can be performed on the historic covered bridges. Only emergency work costing less that $50,000 may be done without a public hearing. The law also requires a covered bridge preservation expert to conduct on-site inspections throughout the project. Experts Dave Fischetti and Arnold Graton visited the Goddard site in March and are scheduled to visit again later in the summer.
Denham sponsored House Bill 596, which expands a covered bridge authority for the Buffalo Trace area. The bill was designated emergency legislation and took effect immediately. The Buffalo Trace Wooden Covered Bridge Authority is made up of one member from each of the five counties in the Buffalo Trace Area Development District.
The bill is the result of the battle over the past two years to restore covered bridges on sight as opposed to dismantling the structures.
The Kentucky Heritage Council's Patrick Kennedy has provided input on the historical side of the project. The council wants to see preservation go hand in hand with restoration.
Contact Danetta Barker at Danetta.Barker@lee.net or call 564-9091, ext. 272. |
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