Relocation of Historic Bailey Bridge

By Ashley Roy, Atterbury-Muscatatuck Public Affairs

A Piece of History

Originally located at an Atterbury training range, the newly refurbished bridge was moved 21st Nov. to its final resting place behind the Medical Simulation Training Center.

Workers with Duncan Robertson, a contracting company, use a crane to lift the restored Bailey bridge Wednesday, and place it at its new location at Camp Atterbury Joint Maneuver Training Center in Edinburgh, Ind. The bridge is more than 50 years old, and has been deemed an historic structure at Atterbury. Photo: contributed by the Department of Public Works

Bailey Bridge More Than 50 Years Old

The placement of the structure is to ensure no heavy vehicles travel the bridge in an effort to preserve it. Although the exact age is unknown, the Bailey bridge is more than 50 years old and is believed to have been built during World War II.

After sustaining heavy damage during flooding in 2008, Lt. Col. Andrew Fitzgerald, post engineer and certified bridge inspector with the Department of Public Works at Atterbury, prompted the department to begin refurbishing the bridge due to historical value.

Lt. Col. Andrew Fitzgerald, Department of Public Works, inspects the Bailey bridge for damage caused by flooding in 2008 at Camp Atterbury Joint Maneuver Training Center in Edinburgh, Ind. Photo: contributed by Department of Public Works

It was clear that the superstructure was still good, but that the deck of the bridge was badly damaged and would need replaced, said Fitzgerald. JDH Contracting Inc. was chosen for the project, and began a full restoration with repainting the structure and building a new deck.

Lt. Col. Andrew Fitzgerald, Department of Public Works, inspects the Bailey bridge for damage caused by flooding in 2008 at Camp Atterbury Joint Maneuver Training Center in Edinburgh, Ind.

A Monument Commemorating The Bailey Bridge

A second bridge was also created by the company to serve as a replacement at the original site of bridge 9. Pedestrians enjoying the trails behind the MSTC will be able to use the bridge after the restored deck is installed sometime in the following week. A monument commemorating the Bailey Bridge as a piece of Atterbury history is planned for installation at a later date.