Mike Corthell
The headline in today's Conway Daily Sun reads: FRYEBURG VOTERS: REMOVE RED IRON BRIDGE - Tuesday voters decided to have the Red Iron Bridge removed by the State of Maine. Removal received 233 votes, repair received 105 votes and replacement received 102 votes. Repair would have cost town taxpayers $600,000 and replacing it would have cost town taxpayers $750,000. (for some history on how Fryeburg got to this point, CLICK HERE)
But is this the end of the story?
Many say that they are not done with this issue including Diane Jones. Diane is president of the Fryeburg Historical Society. Diane said on her Facebook page, ''... that bridge is critical for that section of town and all our neighbors who use it.''
I decided to take a ride out to North Fryeburg this morning and take some pictures with the idea of writing a story about the bridge and what it means to the residents. While walking around I had an idea. I had time to think because after I drove down McNeil Road to the bridge, took photos and looked around I saw that I couldn't even walk across because the bridge is not safe for any use - even foot traffic, so I got back in the Jeep and drove the detour to the other side (2.5 minutes, obeying the speed limit.) I walked around on the other side as well and took a few photos.
Then the idea came. The closure was for safety reasons but the permanent removal was for monetary reasons. Many people want a bridge at that location but the majority of townsfolk don't want to pay for it. OK, but is this bridge issue going to be a 'dead end'? (pardon the pun, couldn't help it) It doesn't have to be. This is my idea: Interested Fryeburg residents can form a concerned citizen's McNeil Bridge Committee to study the ways and means of building and new bridge.
This is my idea:
Design and build a replica of a historic covered bridge.
Funding: A grant or grants. (no cost to Fryeburg residents)
Corporate sponsorship. (again no cost to Fryeburg residents.) or a combination.
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| A bridge too far? |
The headline in today's Conway Daily Sun reads: FRYEBURG VOTERS: REMOVE RED IRON BRIDGE - Tuesday voters decided to have the Red Iron Bridge removed by the State of Maine. Removal received 233 votes, repair received 105 votes and replacement received 102 votes. Repair would have cost town taxpayers $600,000 and replacing it would have cost town taxpayers $750,000. (for some history on how Fryeburg got to this point, CLICK HERE)
But is this the end of the story?
Many say that they are not done with this issue including Diane Jones. Diane is president of the Fryeburg Historical Society. Diane said on her Facebook page, ''... that bridge is critical for that section of town and all our neighbors who use it.''
 |
| History |
I decided to take a ride out to North Fryeburg this morning and take some pictures with the idea of writing a story about the bridge and what it means to the residents. While walking around I had an idea. I had time to think because after I drove down McNeil Road to the bridge, took photos and looked around I saw that I couldn't even walk across because the bridge is not safe for any use - even foot traffic, so I got back in the Jeep and drove the detour to the other side (2.5 minutes, obeying the speed limit.) I walked around on the other side as well and took a few photos.
Then the idea came. The closure was for safety reasons but the permanent removal was for monetary reasons. Many people want a bridge at that location but the majority of townsfolk don't want to pay for it. OK, but is this bridge issue going to be a 'dead end'? (pardon the pun, couldn't help it) It doesn't have to be. This is my idea: Interested Fryeburg residents can form a concerned citizen's McNeil Bridge Committee to study the ways and means of building and new bridge.
This is my idea:
Design and build a replica of a historic covered bridge.
Funding: A grant or grants. (no cost to Fryeburg residents)
Corporate sponsorship. (again no cost to Fryeburg residents.) or a combination.
Is this a wild idea? Possibly. But you know what? It's been done before.
What would this mean to Fryeburg? A historic destination that will pull in visitors to our town. Yes, a historic destination because the Covered Bridge with be absolutely historically accurate - a historic showcase of American engineering and ingenuity.
What would this mean to Fryeburg? A historic destination that will pull in visitors to our town. Yes, a historic destination because the Covered Bridge with be absolutely historically accurate - a historic showcase of American engineering and ingenuity.
This is but one possible solution to Fryeburg's bridge issue. You may have other ideas - so let's talk!
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