The Route 66 Gasconade River Bridge Guardians issued an “urgent call to action” because the historic bridge near Hazelgreen, Missouri, is in “imminent danger” of demolition if a new owner isn’t found by spring.
Here’s the message this week on the group’s Facebook page that urges letters from Route 66 enthusiasts, urging the Missouri Department of Transportation to reconsider tearing down the closed bridge:
URGENT CALL TO ACTION: The Gasconade River Bridge is in imminent danger as it faces demolition scheduled for the spring of 2020 unless a new owner can be found.
MODOT has placed the bridge under a 30-day public review and comment period which has already begun and ends July 5th.
If YOU want to help……….only a public outcry expressing significant concern and a desire to save the bridge from demolition might help. The messages should be different and personal. One message copied & repeated WON’T help. Please take the time to express your PERSONAL concerns.
Your comments can be emailed to: STIPcomments@modot.mo.gov or call them at 1-888-275-6636 or mail your comments to: Transportation Planning, Program Comments, P.O. Box 270, Jefferson City, MO. 65102.
Identify the Gasconade River Bridge in Laclede County, MO. Give them your name and where you live, and WHY THE BRIDGE IS IMPORTANT TO YOU.
MoDOT has more information about the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program for 2020-2024 here.
State officials closed the bridge in December 2014 after an inspection revealed grave deterioration in the 90-year-old structure. MoDOT is building a new bridge a few yards away from the old bridge and Interstate 44.
Exactly what threat is the bridge causing? Any more than trees lining the river bank?
MoDOT simply doesn’t want the liability of owning a bridge that’s no longer used for traffic.
Need to talk to you about a yearly fund raising festival
Why not a barrier at each end, with a gap allowing only pedestrians, cyclists (motor and pedal) and horses through? Along with a big sign saying: USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. The bridge is not going to fall down for many years – ample time to get a preservation society organised. I am sure the MoDOT has no legal responsibility to maintain the many miles of abandoned Route 66 alignments. Do the same here; treat the bridge as an abandoned alignment.