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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	CONTACT: NTHP Communications Office (202) 588-6141 Save Our Bridge, Theresa Segal (904) 829-6761

Save Our Bridge, Inc. and the National Trust for Historic Preservation Declare a Victory
in the Protection of the Historic Bridge of Lions

ST. AUGUSTINE, FLA. (October 21, 2003) – Save Our Bridge, Inc. and the National Trust for Historic Preservation declared a victory in the 25-year-long battle to save the Bridge of Lions, a historic bridge in St. Augustine Fla. built in 1927.

After completing an extensive and rigorous review process for the Bridge of Lions Project, the Florida Department of Transportation announced on October 6, 2003 that the Record of Decision had been received from the Federal Highway Administration, stating that rehabilitation is the chosen option. This brings to a close the Section 4(f) Evaluation required by the Department of Transportation Act of 1966 which protects historic structures listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

“Rehabilitation of the Bridge of Lions is a significant victory for those of us interested in saving the historic bridges of the United States”, stated Eric DeLony, chief of the Historic American Engineering Record in his recent comments to the Environmental Impact Statement released in May, 2003. “FDOT is to be congratulated for outstanding public service.”

Addressing both the safety and preservation issues involved in the restoration of historic bridges is a growing national concern that has led to the development of many local, statewide and national organizations dedicated to preserving these corridors to our past. St. Augustine residents have been embroiled in the controversy over whether to restore or replace the 76 year old draw bridge for a quarter-century.

“It wasn’t until the federal review process began that the debate took form”, says Theresa Segal, president of Save Our Bridge. “The section 4(f) Evaluation provided for public participation every step of the way, adding structure and closure to an otherwise very emotional matter.”

The Bridge of Lions is a Mediterranean-style bascule bridge located in the historic downtown of St. Augustine, Florida, the nation’s oldest continuously occupied European settlement. The bridge, built in the Florida boom of the 1920's, with its graceful arches, tile-roofed towers and marble lion statues was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. In 1976 it was recognized by the American Society of Civil Engineers as one of the most significant bridges in Florida and in 1997 it was placed on the National Trust for Historic Preservation's America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places list.

“The Bridge of Lions has become an integral component of St. Augustine’s historic landscape and skyline as well as a symbol of civic pride”, said Richard Moe, president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. “FDOT’s decision to rehabilitate this historic bridge has set an excellent example for other states that are facing similar decisions. It reinforces to other local, state, and federal agencies that preservation is a viable, cost-effective option when updating their road systems. This victory reiterates the importance of the protections to historic places provided by Section 4 (f) of the transportation bill.”

Final design for the rehabilitation is scheduled for completion this month and the construction bidding will occur in May, 2004. The construction phase of the rehabilitation is estimated to take 3-4 years. For more information visit the Save Our Bridge web site at www.bridgeoflions.org.

The National Trust is a private, nonprofit membership organization dedicated to protecting the irreplaceable. Recipient of the National Humanities Medal, the National Trust provides leadership, education and advocacy to save America’s diverse historic places and revitalize communities. Its Washington, DC headquarters staff, six regional offices and 23 historic sites work with the Trust’s quarter-million members and thousands of local community groups in all 50 states. For more information, visit the National Trust’s web site at www.nationaltrust.org.

History is in Our Hands
1785 Massachusetts Avenue, NW• Washington, D.C. 20036• (202) 588-6141 • (202) 588-6299 (fax)

Save Our Bridge, Inc. is a citizens’ action group committed to the rehabilitation of the historic Bridge of Lions in colonial downtown St. Augustine. The organization was formed to raise public awareness of the very real danger that this national treasure could be irrevocably lost. Our programs and actions have included an art exhibition, concert, post card campaign, website, fact sheet, petition drive and lobbying efforts to show the overwhelming support for preservation of the Bridge. Save Our Bridge, will continue to ensure that the voice of preservation is heard. For more information, visit www.bridgeoflions.org.

P.O. Box 665 • St. Augustine, FL 32085 • Phone (904) 829-6761 • Fax (904) 826-3838

NOTE: The 4(f) review process, which is part of the Department of Transportation Act of 1966, is currently being threatened with "streamlining" by the Bush Administration. This would weaken the federal protection which ultimately saved the Bridge of Lions from demolition. Please take a moment to notify your congressman that tampering with the 4(f) process could result in the loss of important historic structures. The Bridge of Lions rehabilitation project is a prime example of the value of these provisions.