By Mark W. Olson

Carver’s plans for a new Main Street bridge could be on hold, following a recent historical study.

Main Street bridgeThe existing stone arch bridge was found to have structural deficiencies and slated for demolition and replacement by next year.

Federal stimulus funding, through the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act, would have paid $460,000 of the bridge’s estimated $500,000 price tag. However, the federal dollars prompted a study of the bridge, which is eligible for designation on the National Register of Historic Places.

The study came back Oct. 26 with four alternatives that would preserve the bridge, built in the 1880s and later widened. The Minnesota Department of Transportation is now reviewing the “Draft Rehabilitation Report.”

The problem? The deadline to submit specific bridge plans for the federal funding is tomorrow (Nov. 13). “The project is more than likely not going to make that date, because there are too many unknowns on the table right now,” said Carver County Public Works Director Lyndon Robjent.

Although viewed as unlikely, this may change following a meeting today with MnDOT, the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), county and Carver officials.

“The county and the city are still pushing to hopefully still receive those funds,” said Carver City Engineer Dan Boyum. However, he added, “It looks like it would be difficult to meet those deadlines of this federal funding.”

Not first time

It’s not the first time the Main Street bridge’s historical status had been debated.

A large Metropolitan Council sewer line, resulting in downtown street reconstruction on either side of the bridge prompted the discussion.

The bridge was originally slated for reconstruction with state bonding funds. Because of the state’s involvement, the city contacted SHPO, which recommended consulting the city’s Heritage Preservation Commission.

“Our first choice was that it should be saved,” said John von Walter, with the HPC. However, after the HPC was informed that it couldn’t be preserved, the commission recommending saving as much of the locally quarried red limestone as possible for other uses. The HPC also recommended that the new bridge include architectural detailing that reflected the original stone bridge. The idea was to build a new bridge and “make it look as historic as possible,” said Carver Mayor Jim Weygand.

When federal funding entered the picture, a more detailed review of the bridge was required, Boyum said.

The federal stimulus dollars have resulted in more of these historical reviews, said Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer Britta Bloomberg. “It’s certainly an increase, and along with that there’s an urgency to stimulus projects,” she said.

The bridge was constructed in the 1880s by East Union farmer Charles Skone to replace a wooden bridge over Spring Creek. The original limestone bridge is only visible from the south side. An expansion to the north, using a large culvert, earth and cement, buried half of the original bridge.

If possible, von Walter hopes the bridge can be saved. “It’s one of the buildings and structures that’s still here, and you hate to lose any of them,” said von Walter.

What’s next?

Originally, officials had planned to pursue state bonding to fund the bridge. However, state funding depends on legislative allocations and the economic climate. So, officials decided to lobby for federal funding when it became available.

If the federal funding falls through, officials plan to once again pursue state bonding. “The stimulus money is in serious jeopardy, if not gone. So we have to find another funding source to get the bridge built,” said Robjent, who still hopes a new or restored bridge can be in place by 2010, to tie in with the street reconstruction and sewer line completion.

Federal stimulus funding typically requires a 20/80 (local/federal) split. However, if the bridge project bid was low enough, there was a chance that the feds would have picked up the entire bill, Robjent said.

If the federal funding falls through, the county will probably pick up more of the tab, he said, adding “It’s a big deal.”