Trestle Stabilization Program at Golden Spike National Historic Site
Project ID: J8W07110004
Federal Agency: National Park Service
Partner Institution: University of Vermont and State Agriculture College
Fiscal Year: 2011
Initial Funding: $60,000
Total Funding: $60,000
Project Type: Education
Project Disciplines: Cultural
National Park: Golden Spike National Historic Site
Principal Investigator: Porter, Doug
Agreement Technical Representative: Crossland, Leslie
Abstract: The School of Engineering at the University of Vermont (UVM) will participate with staff from the National Park Service (NPS) in a collaborative program of assessment, research, training, and stabilization of the Trestle #1 and Trestle #2 at Golden Spike National Historic Site (GOSP). Both trestles, which are important contributing elements to the park’s National Register status, are in poor condition, are dangerous for visitors to approach, and are in imminent danger of collapse. By improving their condition, and the
safety of visitor to these sites, the park may be able to expand visitation and interpretation at these two historic trestles. In this project, UVM will conduct a condition assessment, develop repair strategies, and implement repairs in collaboration with the NPS. A small professional team will assess current conditions and develop treatment options; repairs will be addressed using a field school format. The field school will be conducted by UVM on-site at the two trestles and will result in training of park staff and others in the repair techniques that will be implemented. These tasks will be conducted in two parts. The first will analyze existing conditions and
recommend preservation treatments for the park’s approval. Based on the park’s preferred approach, a plan for the stabilization
program and field school will be developed. The second part will consist of field school activity to execute stabilization work in a training environment. GOSP staff along with students from UVM will jointly participate in both parts of the project. This project includes a significant educational component with UVM students, NPS staff, and practicing professionals directly involved in portions of the work including field assessment work, organization and analysis of site-collected data, and the implementation of repairs.
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