October 2006

Crittenden Creek Trestle Opened for Trail Users

Six months after beginning construction and just in time to view the Fall colors, NRHT, Inc opened its first trail bridge, the Vandalia Trail trestle over Crittenden Creek in southwest Hendricks County (see photos). In one final push on October 1st, two crews of volunteers installed the entire railing structure along the north side of the bridge in just 6 hours. It took 4 months to design and install the south side railing and 2 months before that to design and install the decking on this 60-foot long, 30-foot high bridge. Within minutes after completion, hikers began taking advantage of this easier and more scenic route across the Crittenden Creek valley.

A bridge dedication event and opening of the trail to rustic bicycling was held on Saturday October 21.

This trestle conversion was the result of a broad collaboration between a number of organizations and individuals:

ORGANIZATIONS
Amo-Coatesville Sewer Conservancy board (easement donation)
Indiana Trails Fund (easement management)
Central Indiana Bicycling Association Foundation ($2,000 grant)
Hendricks County Trail Development Association (grant management)

VOLUNTEER TECHNICAL & DESIGN INPUT
Jerry Newburn, PE (initial trestle structure inspection)
Noel Brooks
Richard Vonnegut
Jeff Ray

VOLUNTEER DESIGN INPUT & LABOR
Greg Midgley
John Hoover
Barbara Filtri
Giuseppe Filtri
Steve Morris
Jonathan Miller
Rex Rollo
Kevin Wright
Mick Giralte