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��Ӱֱ�� State students in the building trades and heavy equipment programs assisted the local organization IMPACT: Friends Improving Allegany County Trails, Inc. by building and placing a new bridge on Trail 2 of Phillips Creek State Forest.

“Getting to participate in projects like this is satisfying in multiple ways,” commented Building Trades Instructor Don Tinder. “Being able to apply skills we learn in the classroom while helping the local community is a double victory. Our students enjoyed being part of the project and are proud of the final product.”

Building trades students built the large timber bridge in the Workforce Development Center on the Wellsville campus.

“This was a different type of building style than most of the students had done or learned about before. With each issue or setback that arose the students, in classic Pioneer style, found a way to accomplish the task at hand.”

When the bridge was completed, heavy equipment students jumped in and helped transport the bridge to Phillips Creek. The bridge was then transported over half a mile to the designated spot and installed. Students returned and installed deck boards and handrails to complete the project.

Glenn Gebhard, President of IMPACT, who served as the project liaison was very appreciative of the combined efforts. “This was truly a community effort from start to finish. Donations from the Allegany County Area Foundation, Community Bank and Saputo Dairy along with a grant from Parks and Trails New York funded the project. IMPACT would like to thank Gregory Muller, NYS DEC Region 9 Supervising Forester for the West Almond Trail System for his support and guidance. The ��Ӱֱ�� State College faculty and staff worked industriously for several weeks to make this project a success. We are grateful for all the efforts.”