I have admit that this makes me really sad, I have crossed over this old steel bridge dozens of times to visit the Western America Railroad Museum and the adjacent Harvey House over the years. I had a routine that I always followed, I would eat breakfast or lunch at the Del Taco down the street (This is one of the chains original locations), then drive over the bridge and check out all the old railroad equipment. Sometimes I would even take the food with me and eat it while sitting on the front deck of an old Santa Fe locomotive. It was something I used to do to relax. The bridge was part of that experience because I truly loved driving over it.
I hope that this idea comes to fruition, so that parts of the bridge can be saved for people like myself to visit and remember happier times.
From The Victor Valley Dailey Press
A longtime Barstow resident is peddling his idea to "save" the old North First Avenue Bridge while Barstow city leaders on Wednesday joined the public on a “Symbolic Walk” over the soon-to-be-demolished structure.
Built in 1930 and upgraded 13 years later, the historic two-lane, steel, and wooden bridge was a thoroughfare over the BNSF Railway lines and connected south and north Barstow.
California authorities deemed the old bridge, "structurally deficient." Its replacement was supposed to begin years ago, however, the bridge has instead, been sustained by incremental, ultimately temporary repairs due to delays in federal grant money meant to cover most project costs.
On Friday, the Southern California Transportation Authority will shutter the old bridge and open the new 1,179-foot-long concrete and steel North First Avenue Bridge to traffic, city officials said.
The new bridge will include a wider sidewalk, eight-foot shoulders for bicyclists, and a lookout point for individuals to view the railroad.
The new bridge is 50 feet wide and expands to over 62 feet to accommodate a left turn lane that extends onto the bridge.
Bridge aesthetics will mimic the city’s popular destination of the Harvey House with its antique lighting and quaint touches, city officials stated.
Barstow native Kenneth Kolbly on Monday, contacted the Daily Press to share his letter to the city of Barstow regarding a way to save the old bridge.
Kolbly shared his proposal to city leaders, which included pieces of the bridge being offered for sale or auction off, instead of being scrapped.
“Proceeds could even be used to benefit the local veterans or perhaps our museums,” Kolbly said. “This would serve the dual goals of removing the bridge from where it is a potential hazard and retaining parts of it to be preserved and appreciated.”
Kolbly said he knows many people, including himself, who would happily purchase one or more pieces of the bridge for historical value and/or for personal display.
“I respectfully request that the city consider the value that such an option would bring to the community and, if needed, I would happily volunteer to help with the execution,” Kolbly said.
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