The New Office - Printable Version

The New Office - Printable Version

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The New Office - tompm - 05-13-2022

On Monday, May 9, I officially rejoined the workforce as the Senior Inspector for the Flat Rock Dam Project in Philadelphia. The project involves reconnecting the Manayunk Canal to the Schuylkill River.

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This the portion of existing dam that will be removed and replaced.

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The Schuylkill River running high from the weekend rains.

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This is the existing intake gate which was built in the 1820's. The brick gatehouse was added sometime around the turn of the 20th century. The section to left was added in 1920. The intakes were permanently closed in 1940. Due to the poor condition the gatehouse will be removed down to a wall about 2 and half feet high. The 1920 section will be demolished completely.

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Another view of the intake gate structure

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The structure to the left and in the foreground is part of the 1920 addition. This portion will not be demolished but the pipes will be blocked and filled. The original structure is to right.

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Looking down the canal. The intake is to the right. The wall on the left is the end of the lock.

The project is scheduled to take 900 days.

I am surrounded by rails. Running along the canal is the former PRR Schuylkill Valley Branch (now a trail) and the Reading now SEPTA's Norristown Branch. Across the river is Norfolk Southern. I am going to try to get some photos.

RE: The New Office - Charlie B - 05-13-2022

Tom, that is a very interesting project. I am surprised that they are actually keeping a dm. In my area all they are doing is removing dams from the creeks and small rivers.
Great pictures.
Charlie

RE: The New Office - ngauger - 05-15-2022

Great Pics!!! I have never been on that trail. It's on my list though Smile

RE: The New Office - tompm - 05-15-2022

Mikey, I forgot to mention the project is on Venice Island.

RE: The New Office - ngauger - 05-16-2022

Nice!!! I had to look it up, never heard of that before.

RE: The New Office - tompm - 05-16-2022

There are tracks that used to service the various industries on the island. The biggest was called the Paper Works and I have to drive through the plant to go from the road to the project site. The plant and the tracks are long abandoned. The tracks were known as the Venice Island Branch of the Reading RR.

I want to get some photos of the plant before they begin demolishing it.

RE: The New Office - nachoman - 05-16-2022

Really cool!

RE: The New Office - ezdays - 05-17-2022

Does the job include transportation to and from work.... maybe a Canoe or a Kayak... Goldth

RE: The New Office - tompm - 05-17-2022

(05-17-2022, 06:33 AM)ezdays Wrote: Does the job include transportation to and from work.... maybe a Canoe or a Kayak...

They did ask me if I wanted a life vest.

RE: The New Office - tompm - 05-17-2022

When I drive from the office trailer to the job site I pass through an old industrial plant. The plant was last called the Paper Works. I currently don't know the history of the facility. The contractor doing the project purchased the plant site and is planning on redeveloping the site. They are supposed to have a ground breaking sometime this summer with the Mayor of Philadelphia and a bunch of the local politicians and redevelopment people from the Manayunk area.

Here is are a set of photos of the plant as I drive by it on my way to the job site. The first two photos are from the steps of my office trailer.

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RE: The New Office - tompm - 05-17-2022

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A shot looking back at the end of the plant

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RE: The New Office - ngauger - 05-17-2022

Nice pictures!! Sad that it'll soon be gone.

I found this:
http://archive.phillywatersheds.org/what_were_doing/traditional_infrastructure/projects/venice_island

RE: The New Office - tompm - 05-17-2022

(05-17-2022, 07:01 PM)ngauger Wrote: Nice pictures!! Sad that it'll soon be gone.

I found this:
http://archive.phillywatersheds.org/what_were_doing/traditional_infrastructure/projects/venice_island

It is a shame it will disappear. There are some interesting structures.

The Arts Center you posted about is on the other end of the island.

RE: The New Office - tompm - 05-17-2022

I found this:

https://www.piworld.com/article/one-americas-oldest-paper-mills-close-147-workers-facing-layoffs/

RE: The New Office - ngauger - 05-18-2022

(05-17-2022, 09:44 PM)tompm Wrote: I found this:

https://www.piworld.com/article/one-americas-oldest-paper-mills-close-147-workers-facing-layoffs/

Wow - That's a shame...... All the places that are closing down making it more difficult to find things...