The Historic Steel Bridge has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is listed "important" because of the unique Scherzer type rolling lift. This rolling lift is only one of two left in the nation and the only one left in Wisconsin. The bridge boosts 400,000 rivets, was built to withstand high winds in the canal, and could be hand cranked open because of its unique upper counterweight balance system. The Steel Bridge stands as our small town's most recognizable icon and is inarguably the most significant structure in Door County.
The first rehab of the nationally significant historic Steel Bridge is finally in our sites. This year we will see all our efforts hard at work. We are kicking off a one million dollar restoration 2008 fund drive. The goal is to address important long-range maintenance issues that are not included in the most recent WisDOT rehab planned for September, 2008. At the same time, we will also help create a long range Restoration Plan to maintain the historic bridge for future generations.
2008 Goal= $1,000,000
The state feels TODAY that painting the STEEL BRIDGE (last painted in 1984) is an "asthetic improvement" and not a nessesary maintenance requirement. We believe that not cleaning and painting the entire bridge will have a negative adverse impact to the intergraty of the steel structure and add cost to the final restoration plan if not addressed in this rehab.
#1 First Joint Public/Private Bridge rehab project in the State -Approved:
The WisDOT most recent rehab plan calls for painting the steel bridge 5' up from the road bed only. The Citizens for Our Bridge plan will be to clean and paint the entire steel structure to protect the steel from more deterioration, as recomended in the WisDOT rehab plan.
Estimated amount = $300,000.00 according to the WisDOT 25-year rehabilitation study.
#2 Projects still under discussion in 2008 Rehab:
Restoration of Bridgetender's House:
The WisDOT wants to remove the Bridgetender's house and replace it with completely new one.
The Citizens for Our Bridge wants to restore it back to original condition.
Estimated cost $200,000.
#3. Restoration of Draw Section, 2008:
The WisDOT wants to replace the rolling Lift rollers with new side track rollers
The Citizensfor Our Bridge want to Restore the original swerzer lift rollers and track, returning them to original condition. estimate undertermined
Other future Restoration by 2020:
Citizens for Our Bridge's long range goal is to restore the bridge back to original condition to last yet another 100 years by the time we celebrate its 100 birthday. By then we hope to reopen it for yet another 100 years for everyone to enjoy.
It can be done, only if we work together. We need to protect our past by investing in its future.
Thank you,
Christie