Solsville Bridge Rehabilitation

What Was the Challenge?

The existing stone arch bridge on Solsville Road in Madison, New York, was built in 1889 and has been an important part of the community’s history. In fact, it is eligible for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places. Madison County wanted to rehabilitate the bridge while keeping the historic appearance intact.

The bridge was in fairly good shape for its age, but required rehabilitative work. Some of the stonework had cracked or fallen away, retaining walls were beginning to lean, and narrow shoulders made snow removal difficult. One challenge was especially unique: one of the walls was connected to the foundation of a nearby home, making repairs more complicated because construction could not disturb the house.

How did Barton & Loguidice Provide a Solution?

B&L used a combination of repair methods to strengthen the structure while preserving as much of the original stonework as possible. A new bridge deck was designed to provide additional space while reducing pressure on the historic stone walls below. For the support wall attached to a nearby home, a new wall was built in front of the existing one to provide support without affecting the home.

Improved protection against storm events was another important part of the project. To help prevent heavy rain from eroding the streambed, protective stone was installed beneath the structure to improve stability and reduce erosion.

Why Was This Project a Success?

This Solsville bridge project blends history and present-day needs, ready to serve residents for decades to come. The original stone arch bridge has been successfully preserved while improving its safety and functionality. B&L’s team dives into this project in a recent blog post.