Jane Lee, a historian with the Missouri Department of Transportation, sent me this e-mail regarding the endangered Route 66 Bridge at Route 66 State Park near Eureka, Mo. It’s lengthy, but probably worth your time:
I just wanted to send you a quick note since I have been closely following the news that you have posted regarding the fate of the old Meramec River Bridge at Times Beach. I think that it is important that it is clear to the public that MoDOT currently does not have the funding for the removal of the bridge, but according to our Bridge Division, the agency is actively seeking funding for demolition at the same time that it is seeking outside funding for rehabilitation.
So, while the bridge might have a temporary reprieve right now, the funding for removal is going to be a competitive process, and it is possible that funding could be secured as early as the 2010 calendar year. I recently penned a letter — with some edits from our State Bridge Engineer — in response to an inquiry from Mr. John Regenbogen of Scenic Missouri, which I think might clear up some questions about the future plans for the bridge.
If you would like to take any portion of the letter and use it on your site, I am perfectly fine with that since it has been through our MoDOT filters. Also, if any of your readers would like to comment on the project, I would urge them to contact our customer service line at 1-888-ASK-MODOT (or 573-751-2551 for out of state callers) or request more info at: https://www.modot.mo.gov/asp/request_information.shtml?comments (inquirers should select St. Louis as the county from the drop-down selection on the electronic info request form). Customer Service should be able to direct the calls to the appropriate recipient, and they will respond promptly to any inquiries. Here is the body of my letter to Mr. Regenbogen:
Hello John,
Thank you for your thoughtful message regarding the future of the Meramec River Bridge at Times Beach. I assure you, as a historian, I share your concern for the preservation of our state’s history. Also, as a Route 66 enthusiast, I understand the desire to see that the fate of the Meramec River Bridge is given careful consideration, and enough time is provided to potentially secure preservation or rehabilitation funding in order to save it. I am aware of the efforts that are currently underway to secure National Scenic Byway Status for Missouri’s stretch of Route 66, and I applaud the work that is being done by the Route 66 Association of Missouri and it’s allies in the attempt to preserve the intrinsic qualities of the Route.
I would like to assure you that the plans to close — and potentially remove — the bridge have not been made hastily. MoDOT has been working with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, including the Route 66 State Park at Times Beach, for a number of years in order to try to identify a source of funding to stabilize and rehabilitate the bridge. Both agencies have long been aware that the bridge is endangered due to its structural deficiencies and rapid deterioration. Unfortunately, the efforts of both agencies to identify rehabilitation funds for the bridge have been unsuccessful so far, and in the meantime, the bridge continues to decay. MoDOT’s recent inspection of the bridge shows that the substructure is not stable enough to support vehicular traffic, and the bridge railing is insufficient to allow pedestrian use of the crossing. Essentially, if the bridge is left to stand without rehabilitation, it will eventually collapse beneath its own weight.
However, as I write this message, it is important to keep in mind that there is no definite funding in place to remove the bridge. That being said, MoDOT will pursue dual paths for the future of this bridge. We will continue working with any interested parties who may wish to take ownership of the bridge, but we will also proceed through the required steps that may ultimately result in the removal of the bridge. MoDOT will not rush into any decision regarding the fate of this historic resource and we will continue consultation with the Department of Natural Resources and the Route 66 State Park regarding the future plans for the bridge.
Furthermore, prior to the transfer or removal of the bridge, MoDOT’s Environmental and Historic Preservation Section is required by Federal mandate to take into consideration the potential impacts of the transfer or removal project, and the bridge will be thoroughly documented for the Historic American Engineering Record (HAER) of the National Parks Service. None of these things can take place without much careful deliberation from both the engineering and historic preservation ends of MoDOT, and MoDOT is aware that the best solution will undoubtedly involve multi-agency communication.
I will keep a copy of your letter and my response for my project file, which will be included with my historical documentation of the bridge. Once again, I appreciate your concern and thank you for your thoughtful message.
Sincerely,
Jane M. Lee
Missouri Department of Transportation
Historic Preservation
P.O. Box 270
Jefferson City, Missouri 65102
(573) 522-9695
The gist is that the state doesn’t have money to knock down the bridge, but it doesn’t mean it won’t have money later. However, the state also is receptive to some sort of viable arrangement to preserve the bridge.
So it would be wise for preservationists to be vigilant about finding solutions, while keeping an eye on the state in case it changes its mind.