AVIS Builds Wooden Foot Bridge Over Shawsheen

The Andover Village Improvement Society launched its first trail maintenance and clean up day in early April. But, this year, members and volunteers also started working on a new bridge that will cross the Shawsheen River in Ballardvale. The bridge will service the trail system in the Vale Reservation, one of AVIS's properties.

Volunteers, including one Andover Patch editor, worked over the course of two Saturdays to create the two main beams that cross the river. Using a tool created decades ago by AVIS membes called the "Bammer," the work crews also hammered down the stakes at each shore to create the bridge abutmnets wher the beams will sit.

After the beams were set across the river and fastened to the bridge abutments, then crews installed supports in the middle of the bridge and used them to raise the bridge itself in certain parts.

A smaller work crew is expected to install the decking and finish the bridge. AVIS members said that another bridge project will be coming up soon and they will need volunteers. Those interested in volunteering can contact David Bunting at dbunting@andovertrails.org.