McGilvray "Seven Bridges" Road
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    • About McGilvray Road
    • History
  • THE BRIDGES
    • Pictures and Descriptions
    • Before the Rescue
    • Anderson/Klafke Prints
    • Pictures by Gary Welscher
    • 2010 Flood Damage
  • TRAIL INFORMATION
    • Location of Trail Entrance
    • Tips for Visitors
    • Van Loon Recreation
    • Access during High Water
    • Flora & Fauna
    • Praise for the Trail
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    • The Friends and Their Work
    • Projects Over the Years
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Trail and Bridge Maintenance

Your donation and membership dues at work

​The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) funds for managing the trail and Van Loon Wildlife Area are limited.   For this reason, monies and labor contributed by the Friends of McGilvray Road (FMR) have been critical in completing many projects related to keeping the bridges safe and the trail usable.  

​The cost of the trailhead kiosk installed in 2016 was shared equally between DNR and FMR.  The projects to lower sections of the trail to reduce flood damage are also shared projects, with FMR clearing the trees and brush, and DNR hiring a contractor to do the earthwork.  FMR repaired the failing abutment wall on bridge #2, and DNR repaired the undermined abutment walls on bridge 5.  On several of these projects the DNR was able to get approval of funding from competitive sources for work on McGilvray Road in part because FMR was providing matching funds and labor.  That allows FMR funds to be leveraged to get even more work done!

 
FMR provides the equipment and labor for mowing the trail, clearing fallen trees, and for repairing the frequent washouts.   FMR purchased and installed new steel splice plates to replace the badly corroded plates on all the Horton bowstring truss bridges.  FMR has provided all the materials and labor for replacing decking on the bridges.  Your support of FMR helps keep McGilvray Road and the historic bridges open as the key access into the beautiful Van Loon Wildlife Area.

2020
​Replacing Rusted Bridge Supports

A couple of years ago, we discovered that some of the major bridge deck supports had rusted to the point that holes had appeared.   Work started on Thursday, Dec. 3,  and was completed on Tuesday Dec 15.  The deck was removed and all of the supports were replaced. 
​The work was done by 3 FMR volunteers: Pat Caffrey, Roger Ziegler, and John Papenfuss. The thousands of dollars needed for materials were funded by the Friends of McGilvray Road from donations by organizations, individuals and the Town of Holland. Thanks to all members and donors who have made it possible for us to keep these historic, 100+ year old bridges safe and thereby keep the McGilvray trail open to all.  Great work guys!!
After 100+ years, the steel bridge supports are deteriorating
Pulling steel support beams from under the deck
Almost ready for new steel beams
Steel bridge supports installed along with wood toppers.
Two of the bridge reconstruction volunteers. Note steel beams
Lots of support and decking lumber to be installed

2018
​Dead Tree Removal

On Dec. 18, 2018 a work party brought down dead trees next to the beginning of the trail. The group included Anna Jahns and another fellow from WDNR, Butch Kleinsmith, Mike Howe, Pat Caffrey from the Friends of McGilvray Road.

​2017
Ford Construction

In order to maintain the bridges, occasionally heavy equipment is needed.  To this point, the 1000 pound load limit for the bridges has prevented this.  Therefore, in August, the DNR and the Friends undertook the construction of a ford on the south side of Bridge One.
Picture
Once the ford was complete, it was possible for equipment to get to this section of the trail.  Prior to that, Pat Caffrey had been busy cutting down trees along the trail, and stacking the wood.   ​After the ford was in, the cut logs were removed in preparation for the trail lowering equipment to begin that phase of the work.

Lowering of the Trail between Bridges 3 and 4

​Q  Why is the trail being lowered?

A   Years ago, material from the wetland was dredged up and piled between the bridges to create a road that was passable when the surrounding area flooded.  Engineers have determined that the road acts as a very large dam and any flood waters are concentrated in the areas under the bridges.  Subsequently, the high, swift moving water during floods causes scouring of the bridge abutments and carries floating debris against the bridges.  Flood waters also made large scour holes and washouts in the areas of the road where the water spills over.  

      In the past the required repairs occurred frequently enough to make the bridges and road too expensive to maintain.  This is why McGilvray Road was abandoned as a publicly maintained road and replaced with the present Hwy 35.  The present road lowering projects being undertaken by the WDNR and the FMR are designed to allow flood waters to flow over the trail at the lowered locations to reduce damage and preserve the bridges and trails.
​
The section between Bridges 3 and 4 contained an old culvert which has caused numerous problems over the years.  Often when the water in the marsh was high, the trail was washed away around the culvert making that area very difficult to get through and necessitating frequent repairs.  As part of the trail lowering work, this culvert was removed and the area around where the culvert had been was filled in to a level even with that section of the lowered trail.
See the Trail Lowering information below for more pictures of the process.

2016
​Bridge Repair  

This summer, our super maintenance volunteer, Pat Caffrey, noticed that parts of the bridges were rusting away.  In September, he replaced all 32 of the splice plates on the Horton Bridges. Great work Pat!

Trailhead Kiosk

Picture

A joint effort by the WDNR and FMR, an informational Kiosk was designed and installed in the trail head parking lot.
Panels left to right:
  • ​The History of McGilvray Road and its Bridges
  • Map of the Van Loon Area
  • Floodplain Habitats and Home to Diverse Wildlife

​Kiosk Committee, left to right
  • Nancy Hill - President of FMR
  • Linda McMullin - Media for FMR, History panel design
  • Anna Jahns - DNR, Map and Wildlife panel design
  • Patrick Caffrey - FMR, Builder of the Kiosk 
Picture

2015
​Re-decking of Bridge 1 - July 

Amazing job done by Pat Caffrey in hot (full sun, no breeze) and humid weather too!  Thanks Pat!
​(hover mouse for information)
July 14 - 20% of the decking is installed
There were 192 planks to remove, and each plank had a minimum of 4 nails in each of 8 stringers
July 15. 48% of deck installed.
July 15, 52% left to do - pull up boards and then install new ones.
August 1, 2015. Work completed!

​2014  
​Lowering of trail between Bridges 4 and 5


​March 2014, wood from downed trees.
Picture
Cleared area, March 2014
Picture
Stump removal, Oct. 2014
Picture

2013-2014

Picture
Winter 2013-4, Bridge 5 was redecked
Bridge 5 was redecked
New decking on Bridge 6

2011-2012
Lowering of trail between bridges 5 and 6 (hover mouse for information)

Tree removal 10/2011
Lowering of trail 12/2011
Grading
Seeding 6/2012
Mulch 6/2012
Final Aug 2012
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