Days numbered for 107-year-old bridge

Commissioners giving away county landmark

By NEIL O. NELSON
Despite pressure from Traill County Historical Society members to save the Blanchard Bridge, the county is giving the 107-year-old bridge to a Wisconsin collector, free for the asking.
Traill’s five commissioners and their road and bridge superintendent had little time Tuesday for the bridge that has spanned the Elm River near Blanchard for 107 years.
The bridge, unused in the last 45 years, is listed with the National Register of Historic Places, one of seven bridges in the county that carries the praiseworthy designation.
Defending the bridge’s historic value before the commissioners this week were Marilu Person and Michelle McLean, county historical society members.
“It’s a historical example of how bridges were built 100 years ago,” said Person.
“It’s a part of our history.”
“It’s stood it’s time,” argued commissioner John Knudsvig. “It should go. We should get rid of more of them.”
The county historical society, McLean said, was unaware the county was in the business of giving away historical points of interest in the county.
“It would have been nice to know this was even being considered.”
Giving away the bridge is the county’s best option, offered Scott Stammen, road and bridge superintendent.
“This is the best opportunity we have to get rid of the bridge.”
McLean and Person question why must the bridge be disposed of.
“It’s not costing anything. It’s been there more than 100 years. Why can’t it sit there another 100 years?”
What harm is there to leave the bridge where it was first built and where it has been for 107 years? they asked.
“It’s an important part of our history.”
In its time, Person said, the bridge was state of the art, built by the prosperous and pioneering farmers who settled the Red River Valley.
It’s a treasured landmark that can remain where it has been standing for 107 years, not costing or hurting anyone, intimated Person.
There is a liability factor, insisted commissioner Ron Peterson.
“What is the liability?” asked McLean.
“Someone could fall off the bridge,” replied the Traill commission president.
“Couldn’t that happen on any county bridge?” countered McLean.
The commission chairman pointed out that no effort was made to save the Portland Park Bridge or the Caledonia Bridge, which Peterson warned, will soon fall into the river.
“It’s over, then,” meaning at that point — no efforts to save the structure will be successful, he hinted.
Marilu Person maintained she wasn’t there to argue the fate of the Caledonia or Portland bridges.
“We want to help keep the Blanchard Bridge in the county. We shouldn’t be in the business of exporting history.”
Michelle McLean contends the county has offered little or no justification in giving away the bridge.
“It’s not costing the county anything. So why do they have to get rid of it?”
Concluded Peterson: “We have too cotton-pickin’ many bridges in this county to save, that’s the thing.”
An informal poll of the commissioners showed all in favor of giving away the Blanchard Bridge.
A Neenah, Wisconsin contractor is expected to claim the bridge this summer.