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Know
the
facts!
Fact 1: The existing bridge, built in 1927, is on the National Register of Historic Places. Fact 2: The Bridge of Lions made the list of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places by the National Trust for Historic Preservation for 1997. Fact 3: The Department of Transportation has determined that a four lane bridge will not significantly improve traffic congestion. All alternatives now being considered are two lane, draw span structures. Therefore, a new bridge will not improve traffic flow. Fact 4: Safety is the Department of Transportation’s primary concern. Whether restored or replaced, the bridge will be a safe structure. Fact 5: The restoration option will replace a very high percentage of the existing structure. (Fact: The Government House was almost completely rebuilt in the mid-1930’s, yet is still considered a prime example of our city’s historic architecture.) Fact 6: A new bridge would become subject to current Coast Guard regulations which require all draw bridges to open for marine traffic on demand. Fact 7: The existing bridge channel is 76 feet wide. Current U.S. Coast Guard standards for horizontal clearance is 125 feet. The exclusive purpose of a new bridge with a wider span is to accommodate more barge traffic. Fact 8: The replacement option presently being considered will raise the driving surface of the new bridge by approximately 8 feet. However, the draw span will also be deeper; so vertical clearance for boat traffic won’t significantly improve. Fact 9: The bridge fenders have been struck by barges several times until 1996, when the U.S. Coast Guard constructed lay up dolphins north and south of the bridge, allowing barges to tie up and await slack tide for their trip through the bridge. There has not been another incident of a barge striking the bridge since then. Prepared
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