dewayne brantley in the old river lake it’s a u shape and we duck hunt in the middle of the u and it is very pretty and the train bride is beside it and I remember going in there for the first time and seeing a huge concrete bridge in the middle of the woods it brings back good but sad memories because most of the people I spent those days with have passed on
Be prepared for a long comment. This bridge is in the process of being demolished. The main truss span was demolished by means of implosion on November 19, 2019. As of writing this comment, the demolition of the remainder of the bridge is continuing. As a person who has traveled over this bridge many times, I am somewhat relieved that the bridge was demolished, mostly due to safety concerns. I never really liked passing over it due to the awkwardly narrow roadways and somewhat poorly maintained causeway. For those who are unaware as to the reason why the new bridge was built: the bridge shown here was built in the early 1900s, and in the 21st century, it was simply too narrow for certain traffic to cross safely (such as wide loads on tractor trailers). Furthermore, the condition of the bridge required a weight limit to be posted, rendering heavy loads carried by some tractor trailers to be unsuitable to cross. These reasons may also be why the old bridge had a 45 MPH speed limit. The new bridge is much wider and can handle just about anything that crosses it. Additionally, the new bridge does not necessitate the requirement for a reduction of speed; thus, the 55 MPH speed limit on the remainder of the highway (with the exception of a portion in Clarendon as it’s basically a speed trap) also applies to the new bridge. The reason why it was demolished and not preserved as a pedestrian bridge is something I don’t know, but there are a couple of possible reasons I can think of. One may be due to the fact that the contract for the rerouting of Highway 79 also probably stated that the old bridge must be demolished. Another possible reason may be due to the local government not wanting to pay insurance on a pedestrian bridge. Furthermore, preservation would have likely required the entry to the bridge to be refurbished due to its poor condition.
The demolition of the historic bridge is a complete tragedy. Yes, the new bridge is an improvement regarding vehicular speed and safety, but that doesn't take away from the benefits of preserving the old bridge as a cycling and pedestrian walkway. In fact, the old bridge was completely structurally sound. There was a structural survey completed by an engineering firm and paid for by the Friends of the Historic White River Bridge, besides which determined the integrity, also estimated the cost of the complete restoration and rehabilitation for its conversion from a highway to a pedestrian bridge conforming to all safety specs and regulations. To implement this plan would cost $5 million. The demolition costs $11.3 million. It's federal law that any US Highway bridge that's taken by a state or municipality can use the demolition budget for a one time restoration if that entity decides to keep the structure. Saving the bridge would've saved the state and federal taxpayers $6.3 million. As far as why the bridge was torn down, that's a great question. The State had agreed to take it on and annex it into the Lower White River State Park. It wasn't because of insurance, money, or a lack of anybody wanting to take responsibility as you suggest. There was in fact a contract that the Arkansas Highway department was forced to sign. Since the bridge goes over a federal wildlife refuge, in order for the feds to grant the state a new easement, they required the ARDOT to not only pay for the easement, they required the demolition of the old bridge it that land deeded to the refuge. The Governor, himself, lobbied in Washington D.C. to save the bridge, yet the brass at the Department of the Interior didn't have much to say. It's a classic case of bureaucrats operating without any concern for the people who actually are stakeholders in the community. As for your comment, you shouldn't glibly support the destruction of something people hold so dear, then spread slander by speculating on the local government's ability to pay insurance. If you don't know, then feel free to ask, but don't insult my community by trying to sound like you know more than you actually do.
Keep on it! We are trying to save The Aetnaville Bridge from demolition by WVDOT. It crosses the back channel of the Ohio River, on Wheeling Island, in Wheeling WV. It is needed to link a proposed bike trail system from Cleveland to Pittsburgh. Seeking ways to share the stories of other successful saving of bridges and conversion to bike/ped.
I was born in Newport, I remember loving that big old bridge!
It is a nuisance and will be torn down
I drove that route many times back in the 60s. It was a scenic drive even back then. I do hope it can be saved,
dewayne brantley in the old river lake it’s a u shape and we duck hunt in the middle of the u and it is very pretty and the train bride is beside it and I remember going in there for the first time and seeing a huge concrete bridge in the middle of the woods it brings back good but sad memories because most of the people I spent those days with have passed on
Demolition is scheduled for November 19th, 2019. Two days from now. So sad to see it go!
Still standing as of now.
Who do we contact to add our support? Is there a petition to sign?
How do we help?
This a very interesting bridge which I used for a presentation of mine and got me an A*!
I hope it will be saved...
thomas diSegni it won’t it is a nuisance
Be prepared for a long comment.
This bridge is in the process of being demolished. The main truss span was demolished by means of implosion on November 19, 2019. As of writing this comment, the demolition of the remainder of the bridge is continuing. As a person who has traveled over this bridge many times, I am somewhat relieved that the bridge was demolished, mostly due to safety concerns. I never really liked passing over it due to the awkwardly narrow roadways and somewhat poorly maintained causeway.
For those who are unaware as to the reason why the new bridge was built: the bridge shown here was built in the early 1900s, and in the 21st century, it was simply too narrow for certain traffic to cross safely (such as wide loads on tractor trailers). Furthermore, the condition of the bridge required a weight limit to be posted, rendering heavy loads carried by some tractor trailers to be unsuitable to cross. These reasons may also be why the old bridge had a 45 MPH speed limit. The new bridge is much wider and can handle just about anything that crosses it. Additionally, the new bridge does not necessitate the requirement for a reduction of speed; thus, the 55 MPH speed limit on the remainder of the highway (with the exception of a portion in Clarendon as it’s basically a speed trap) also applies to the new bridge.
The reason why it was demolished and not preserved as a pedestrian bridge is something I don’t know, but there are a couple of possible reasons I can think of. One may be due to the fact that the contract for the rerouting of Highway 79 also probably stated that the old bridge must be demolished. Another possible reason may be due to the local government not wanting to pay insurance on a pedestrian bridge. Furthermore, preservation would have likely required the entry to the bridge to be refurbished due to its poor condition.
The demolition of the historic bridge is a complete tragedy. Yes, the new bridge is an improvement regarding vehicular speed and safety, but that doesn't take away from the benefits of preserving the old bridge as a cycling and pedestrian walkway. In fact, the old bridge was completely structurally sound. There was a structural survey completed by an engineering firm and paid for by the Friends of the Historic White River Bridge, besides which determined the integrity, also estimated the cost of the complete restoration and rehabilitation for its conversion from a highway to a pedestrian bridge conforming to all safety specs and regulations.
To implement this plan would cost $5 million. The demolition costs $11.3 million. It's federal law that any US Highway bridge that's taken by a state or municipality can use the demolition budget for a one time restoration if that entity decides to keep the structure. Saving the bridge would've saved the state and federal taxpayers $6.3 million.
As far as why the bridge was torn down, that's a great question. The State had agreed to take it on and annex it into the Lower White River State Park. It wasn't because of insurance, money, or a lack of anybody wanting to take responsibility as you suggest. There was in fact a contract that the Arkansas Highway department was forced to sign. Since the bridge goes over a federal wildlife refuge, in order for the feds to grant the state a new easement, they required the ARDOT to not only pay for the easement, they required the demolition of the old bridge it that land deeded to the refuge. The Governor, himself, lobbied in Washington D.C. to save the bridge, yet the brass at the Department of the Interior didn't have much to say. It's a classic case of bureaucrats operating without any concern for the people who actually are stakeholders in the community.
As for your comment, you shouldn't glibly support the destruction of something people hold so dear, then spread slander by speculating on the local government's ability to pay insurance. If you don't know, then feel free to ask, but don't insult my community by trying to sound like you know more than you actually do.
@@jeremiahmoore688 Very well said I applaud you my friend!!
Some how we must not let this be destroyed.
Ron Stephens it’s a nuisance
@@outdoortv475 no its not
Keep on it! We are trying to save The Aetnaville Bridge from demolition by WVDOT. It crosses the back channel of the Ohio River, on Wheeling Island, in Wheeling WV. It is needed to link a proposed bike trail system from Cleveland to Pittsburgh. Seeking ways to share the stories of other successful saving of bridges and conversion to bike/ped.
Peggy Pings it will be torn down
We have to save this bridge my dad drove on this and in the future i want 2
Seth Smith it’s a nuisance