November: Historic Bridge Awareness Month
In 2006, the Historic Bridges of Michigan and Elsewhere unofficially declared November Historic Bridge Awareness Month. November was selected for two reasons. One was to remember the anniversary of the demolition of the Shanley Road Bridge. The other reason was because in November, as winter and the end of the construction season nears, it is a good time to reflect on the loss of historic bridges during the past summer. It is also a good time to note that the upcoming winter months are a great time to contact those in charge of historic bridges and try to encourage them to cancel plans to demolish historic bridges before future construction seasons begin. To that end, I offer the following 2007 Historic Bridge Awareness Month presentation, which focuses on raising awareness and reflecting on the past summer.
Turning
the Tide is a
special campaign whose purpose is to revise the transportation legislation so
that it will more effectively fund historic bridge preservation. The campaign is
called "Turning the Tide - A Campaign For Change: A Future For Historic
Bridges," and it asks anyone who enjoys historic bridges either casually or as a
hobby to contact United States government officials and express support for
historic bridges and funding for their preservation. The government has openly declared that it will not
increase and expand historic bridge preservation funding until it is
aware of a public interest. This is where your help is needed. Our
government needs to know this is an important issue to the people, not
just to the webmaster of a historic bridge website. Even if you are not
extremely interested with historic bridges, but just like seeing the
quaint, old bridge on your drive to work, I encourage you to help by
contacting the involved government officials and legislators who have
the power to implement these changes that will bring a future to
historic bridges. Please head over to the Turning
the Tide webpage.
Historic Bridge Awareness Month presents a look over the past year to take stock of all that has been lost. And what a loss it has been. 2007 might be called the year of tears, for not only has the quantity of bridges demolished been high, many of the bridges lost were extremely rare. All the bridges in this list are today a memory, preserved only in the photos of those who cared to visit the bridge. Some of the bridges in this list are among the rarest bridges in their respective states, others are far less significant. However they are all losses to some extent. One thing that stands out though... a large number of the bridges demolished this year are those rarer historic bridges. 2007 has been a dark year indeed.
Note: Please be aware that some of these bridges may not yet be marked demolished on their respective pages. Future website updates will correct this.
First Place: Our first place winner this year goes to PennDOT for demolishing the Ulster Bridge, one of the largest remaining bridges in the country to feature spans with pinned connections. It also featured an approach span system that on its own would have been among the longest pony truss bridges in the country. This bridge was demolished even though it was not in the way of its replacement. This represents one of the worst crimes against historic bridges ever encountered. The demolition of this bridge shows the serious problem with historic preservation and transportation policies in the United States. This bridge was rare enough that it should have been preserved at any cost. However, current programs lack both the protection and funding needed to save bridges like the Ulster Bridge.
Second Place: The second place award goes to St. Clair County, Michigan for demolishing the Wadhams Road Bridge. This bridge was one of the most important bridges in Michigan: one of only three multi-span examples of Michigan's unique concrete curved chord through girder bridge types. To make matters worse, this bridge was not even structurally deficient, and indeed the 1927 structure was in good condition despite the fact that no major repairs were ever made to the structure during its entire history. The only reason this bridge was replaced was because the deck was narrow. The county refused to explore alternatives such as a parallel one lane bridge to form a one-way couplet of bridges. The demolition of this bridge is a clear example showing how current transportation funding wastes taxpayer dollars by focusing on demolition and replacement where rehabilitation would be more reasonable.
Third Place: PennDOT takes both first and third place in the Hall of Shame. The third place award is presented for the demolition of the Hickory Bridge. The Hickory bridge was an impressive four-span pin-connected truss bridge that was located on one of the most beautiful sections of the Allegheny River. The beautiful geometric art of the bridge was easily seen and enjoyed, but at the same time the lightweight trusses did not obscure, and indeed blended in and complimented, the beautiful untouched natural scenery in the area. This scenery included the large river in the foreground and rolling river valley and hills in the background, and several places to view both scenery and bridge, whether from the car in US-62 or walking around at a boat launch for the bridge. Historic bridges, with their beautiful designs often blend in with natural environments far better than any modern replacement. Perhaps no other bridge demolition so clearly shows how bridge replacement can rape a natural landscape.
Fourth Place: Midland County, Michigan receives the fourth place award for the demolition of the Ball Road Bridge, the last bedstead truss bridge in the entire state of Michigan. Bedstead truss bridges are extremely rare bridges; dozens of states are not privileged to even have a single example, and as such Michigan really had a treasure. However, Midland County did not feel that such a rare treasure deserved preservation. They demolished this bridge just for the sake of demolishing it: there wasn't even a replacement planned on this abandoned section of roadway. In a state that is facing a severe state budget crisis and a crashing economy, this waste of money is abhorrent not only because it wiped out a priceless treasure, but also because it could have been better spent elsewhere. What was the excuse given? Historic Bridges of Michigan and Elsewhere was told that the bridge was obstructing the flow of the creek. This is an absurd claim, for a very logical reason. Bedstead truss bridges fell out of favor because their design left them prone to collapse due to flood damage. The Ball Road Bridge stood for 106 years, and only fell because a foolish local government destroyed it. Lets face it: if the Ball Road Bridge was causing a problem for the flow of the creek, mother nature would have destroyed it herself. This could easily have been a first place award, since it was such a crime; only the presence of other even more unthinkable atrocities made this action receive the least award.
Daniel Alward, webmaster of http://www.venangoil.com/Bridges.html abandoned his website because he became so depressed from the number of historic bridges being demolished and the lack of effort on the part of the general public to help him stop the atrocities. Certainly, I have felt much of this same depression this year. In 2007, I have seen bridges I have known since I was a tiny child fall. I have seen some of the rarest bridges in the country obliterated in an instant. However, I want to assure anyone who fears this website may be abandoned for similar reasons, and well as any DOT officials who may be hoping I abandon the website, that I have no intention of ever doing so. As long as there is a breath in my body, I will continue to fight for historic bridges, as depressing as it may be, right down to the last historic bridge on the planet. Historic bridges deserve nothing less. Nor do I wish to give those whose actions have resulted in the demolition of historic bridges the sense of victory in seeing a website like this end.
The updates on this website may be slow, but I promise to keep them coming. These slower updates are due to personal non-bridge committments, but do not represent a reduced commitment to historic bridges.
I also want to thank the countless website visitors who have emailed me with thanks and praise for the website. Your emails are what make this website worthwhile, and I appreciate every one I get. Thank you!
