An Iowa-based preservation group reached an agreement with the Missouri Department of Transportation for the nonprofit to begin fundraising efforts to eventually restore the closed Gasconade River Bridge near Hazelgreen, Missouri.
North Skunk River Greenbelt Association, aka Workin’ Bridges, based in Grinnell, Iowa, hopes to raise $3.5 million for the cause by Dec. 31, 2018.
In the meantime, MoDOT soon will begin construction on a new bridge to bypass the historic Gasconade River Bridge, which was closed in December 2014 because of deterioration. Route 66 travelers now are forced to take a miles-long detour on Interstate 44 to get around the bridge.
According to a news release from Workin’ Bridges:
The Workin’ Bridges qualified engineers and craftsmen will assess the bridge for possible phased options and costs
that may differ from MoDOTs assessment. These real numbers, captured as Scope of Work and Estimates are required so that informed decisions can be made, for potential grants. Work with MoDOT on a risk management plan for their new bridge and the Interstate 44 bridge is being negotiated. We have proposed a Trust Account that would be in place for a catastrophic event, as well as utilizing the interest for future biannual inspections and site and security.
Developers are also being sought for this property and any design ideas are welcome. Route 66 has always been a mecca for travelers worldwide and with this bridge repaired the potential for crossing on special event days may still be an option as engineering will return the bridge to its former function. For more information on how the bridge was saved and how we are moving forward together check out Workin’ Bridges: Route 66 Bridge Rehab on Facebook
Our goal is to raise $10,000 in funds. Those funds are for engineering and planning. Jacqueline (Jax) Welborn has been designated the Project Manager. She will undertake the outreach for donors to help with the immediate engineering and planning needs for the bridge. Contact Jax at rte66bridgerehab@gmail.com or call her at 573-528-1292.
Then our efforts will turn to finding the pledges, grants and in-kind donations necessary to reach our $3.5 million dollar goal by December 31, 2018. That money will go to repairing the piers and abutments that hold the spans up, the stringer and roadway replacement, floor beam repair. The deck, or at least a portion of the deck, will be removed by MoDOT using their demolition funds for that purpose. The lead paint abatement solution is still to be determined.
Those efforts are currently underway. NSRGA has begun the process to become a legitimate nonprofit corporation in Missouri, then the bank accounts will be procured. In the meantime you can still donate at Workin’ Bridges: Route 66 Bridge Rehab on Facebook. Your donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed.
The news release also stated:
Let me be clear, the historic bridge is still at risk for demolition unless sufficient funding for restoration can be acquired in the next fourteen months.
According to Bridgehunter.com, the 525-foot bridge was built in 1922 to 1924 of three styles of trusses.
(Hat tip to Julie Bowers at MoDOT; image of the Gasconade River Bridge courtesy of Workin’ Bridges)
I find it hard – as an Englishman – to see why presumably educated and professional engineers choose to call themselves “Workin’ Bridges” and not “Working Bridges”. Can someone please explain?
Dropping the “g” is common usage with country folk and blue-collar workers in the United States. Because the group is an advocate for rural bridges, I’m assuming it took that folksy approach.
Thanks Ron. The same thing happens in the UK. But there is a difference between the genuine and the affected. Multimillionaire, privately educated former British prime minister “call-me-Tony” Blair was notorious for adopting the dialect of those he was addressing – suddenly becoming what you would call “blue collar”.