This old bridge has charm--adds to the spirit of the Illinois, and our race. Everyone with a camera at the race has taken pictures of it. Crossing the bridge at the beginning is an experience like no other.
The plans are for the bridge (aka Combs Bridge) to be dismantled and removed. I, for one, think this would be a tragedy. 
Ray Cook, a supporter of our Pumpkin Holler Hunnerd, forwarded me a thread of email discussing the possibility of saving the this icon as a pedestrian bridge. According to Ray,"I've been in contact with the Historic Bridge Foundation, but have not received a reply. The bridge is on the National Historic Inventory, but there needs to be a 501(c)3 in place if the bridge is to be saved."
I think this is an awesome idea, and will do whatever I can do to help make that happen.
Bridges like these are an endangered species. At least one bridge like this per week is torn down in the US.
I am thinking we'll need petitions signed, letters written, and possibly some financial help to save this bridge. A certain amount of upkeep would be necessary, but in my way of thinking, the upkeep surely would be less in cost than demolishing the structure. Wouldn't it?
Comment here, email me at trailzombie@yahoo.com, or Facebook me. I'll try to rally the troops. I can forward the email chain, which has a few addresses of people who are decision makers in this matter. From what I have read, no one is adamantly in favor of tearing the bridge down. Keeping it as a pedestrian bridge will require people who are willing to maintain the upkeep and basic bridge responsibilities.
3 comments:
Ken,
Below, is a note posted to me by Senator Jim Wilson this week:
Ron,
The law says the bridge will revert to the land owner who is Eagle Bluff.
Cherokee County doesn't want the liability or the maintenance problem - probably most taxpayers will agree.
The current plan is to let the bid in about a year - so anything we want to do needs to happen
before then.
It doesn't have to be torn down - but the land owner needs to accept responsibility.
If you look at the old bridge for hwy 51/62 over the river you can see what happens if
it doesn't get any attention.
Anyway - if you can organize a responsible group to get the liability off the County it's yours.
Jim
Ken, this is a note poted to me by Senator, Jim Wilson this week.
Ron,
The law says the bridge will revert to the land owner who is Eagle Bluff.
Cherokee County doesn't want the liability or the maintenance problem - probably most taxpayers will agree.
The current plan is to let the bid in about a year - so anything we want to do needs to happen
before then.
It doesn't have to be torn down - but the land owner needs to accept responsibility.
If you look at the old bridge for hwy 51/62 over the river you can see what happens if
it doesn't get any attention.
Anyway - if you can organize a responsible group to get the liability off the County it's yours.
Jim
Ken,
below, is a note posted to me by Senator Jim Wilson this week:
Ron,
The law says the bridge will revert to the land owner who is Eagle Bluff.
Cherokee County doesn't want the liability or the maintenance problem - probably most taxpayers will agree.
The current plan is to let the bid in about a year - so anything we want to do needs to happen
before then.
It doesn't have to be torn down - but the land owner needs to accept responsibility.
If you look at the old bridge for hwy 51/62 over the river you can see what happens if
it doesn't get any attention.
Anyway - if you can organize a responsible group to get the liability off the County it's yours.
Jim
Post a Comment