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Florida
Times-Union
Restoration
Urged
for
Bridge
of
Lions
Coast
Guard,
other
agencies
must
still
approve
ST. AUGUSTINE - The Bridge of Lions is a big step closer to restoration. Brightly festooned with American flags, the crumbling symbol of the old city served as a backdrop yesterday to an announcement that the state favors rehabilitation over replacement for the 72-year-old span between St. Augustine and Anastasia Island. After nearly a decade of study, the state has decided to support a restoration that could cost as much as $27 million and take six years to design and build, said Huey Hawkins, district secretary for the Department of Transportation. It also could require that as much as 90 percent of the bridge be removed, an issue Hawkins said was critical in determining whether the bridge could retain its designation on the National Register of Historic Places, which provides protection for landmarks from drastic changes. “Many people have a special affection for this bridge,” Hawkins said. He said 80 percent of the money for a restoration would come from the federal government and the remainder from the state. While important, yesterday’'s announcement does not seal the bridge’'s future. The state will take nine months to write a final environmental impact statement that will have to be reviewed by state agencies and federal highway authorities. A restored bridge would probably not meet a U.S. Coast Guard standard for a wider marine traffic opening beneath the span. The Coast Guard is responsible for issuing bridge permits, Hawkins said. “That is our recommendation,” he said. “We do not know definitely if they will accept that recommendation.” Regardless of those issues, supportersof the restoration were elated by the announcement. “I think it’s great,” said Les Thomas, a St. Augustine architect and member of the Save Our Bridge group that sought to restore the bridge. “I guess we’re now on the side of the Department of Transportation.” For years, preservationists like Thomas have pressured the department to save the bridge, but feared proponents of a replacement would prevail. “I would hate to tell people, ‘Well, we had an old bridge here, but we tore it down,’ ” Thomas said. Distinctive for its tile-roofed towers and 23 pairs of arches, the ornate bridge that opened in 1927 has deteriorated under years of service. In February and March, it had to be closed for several days so repairs could be made to supports. “Basically, the foundation of the bridge is in deplorable condition,” Hawkins said. Support for a restoration has not been universal. Eddy Mussallem, a former St. Augustine mayor who wanted a new bridge, said he did not consider the bridge historic. “It’'s a hunk of concrete,” he said. “It’s not a historic landmark.” St. Augustine Mayor Len Weeks said he is pleased that the decision is closer to being finalized, and now the community needs to focus on the effect the work will have on the city. “I think this issue has divided this community long enough,” he said. Early this year, the Department of Transportation proposed five options, including two plans for restoration and two for replacement. The fifth option would have been to leave the bridge as it is. The restoration work would involve the construction of a temporary bridge on the north side of the existing bridge while the old span’s superstructure, bridge deck, spans and railings are replaced. One restoration plan would keep the bridge’s marine opening at its present width and another would expand the opening to 151 feet. The work involved in the wider opening would lead to the bridge’s removal from the National Register of Historic Places. But Hawkins said yesterday removal isn’t likely. “We feel confident that the state historic office will keep it on the register,” he said. George Percy, director of the Division of Historical Resources for the Secretary of State’s Office, said location, setting and design are important elements in determining if the federal designation is retained. “We believe it will remain on the National Register,” he said. “We think this is the correct recommendation.” The historic significance of the bridge raised national awareness, and led the National Trust for Historic Preservation to name the bridge as one of America’s most endangered historic places in 1997. In March, the National Association of the American Institute of Architects supported a full restoration of the bridge. Bill Henderson, the Department of Transportation’s project manager for the bridge project, said that same issue will be pressed with the Coast Guard, which wants a 125-foot opening beneath the bridge. Now, the opening is less than 80 feet. “Their concern is it doesn’t meet their requirement,” Henderson said. “The historical significance of the bridge has to play into your determination. That is what we are going to tell them.” The Coast Guard will make its decision whether to issue a permit once design work is finished, Hawkins said. Greg Shapley, bridge administrator for the 7th Coast Guard District in Miami, said no decision would be made until the design work can be evaluated. “I have to wait and see what they submit,” he said. Shapley said the 125-foot clearance is an established guide, but that waivers can be granted. He said historical aspects also are important. “They will have a heavy influence,” he said. |