For sale: Bridge spanning the scenic Mendenhall River in Juneau. Buyer must agree to remove and preserve the historic structure, named in honor of the Alaska Native Brotherhood.
No sales price is listed for the Brotherhood Bridge but a spokeswoman for the state transportation department, Brenda Hewitt, said bridges in similar situations in other states have gone for as little as $1 or been transferred for free. She said Tuesday that an evaluation of potential buyers will be based more on their plans to maintain the structure for its historic use than price.
The bridge still comes at a cost: the structure contains lead-based paint, which Hewitt said will have to be removed and treated. Additionally, it will have to be taken apart, moved and reconstructed.
The 319-foot bridge, near a scenic turnout and trail system, was designed by Roy Peratrovich Jr. The department said it was constructed with steel plate girders, concrete and steel piers and concrete abutments. It fits the criteria needed to seek listing on the National Register of Historic Places, according to a state preservation officer.
The bridge featured 10 bronze medallions, representing the crest of the brotherhood. Those will not go with the new owner, and Hewitt said it’s possible that they could be incorporated into the new bridge, though a decision on that hasn’t been finalized yet.
The department plans to replace the bridge, built over the Mendenhall River in 1965, with a wider, four-lane bridge, that has a sidewalk on one side and multiuse path on other, Hewitt said. The project is expected to be advertised next year and estimated to cost about $19 million, she said.
Interested parties may contact Jane Gendron, Environmental Manager, DOT&PF SE Region at 465-4499, or email her at jane.gendron@alaska.gov.
Comments (19)
Add commentPreserve it?
What on earth for?? If it had some redeeming aesthetic value, maybe. Even if it was the first bridge to cross the Mendenhall (it's not).
No, it's just steel and concrete. Recycle it. Like the old Douglas Bridge, the decks are being used as sheet piling at the waterfront at Smith's Landing. Maybe save a segment of the railing for historical purposes, if we must.
At the price steel's going for these days, it would probably be worth the effort to dismantle it.
And what, out of curiosity,
And what, out of curiosity, is the asking price for this gem?!!!
No doubt, by designating it historical, there's public money available somewhere to help with the sell and move.
Stupid idea...what's wrong, DOT's budget blown for the year and they can't afford demolition?
What' wrong is the Federal Government
This is a ridiculous waste of time and effort that has zero chance of success. Everyone knows this. But the federal rules do not allow for common sense to be used.
The bridge will be advertised and one of two situations will occur. 1) No one will bid on it allowing DOT to dismantle and destroy or 2) Some yahoo without the wherewithall will buy it and not be able to complete the project and we will be left with an owner and no recourse. DOT will then after having to go to court to fight to have the bridge removed in time to build the new one but becaus eof appeals will be delayed and the new bridge wioll not be built for several more years. After years of inflation the bridge will fianlly be built and will cost three times as much.
Maybe Geldof can get it transferred to him so there can be a bridge to that Coast Guard Cutter that he has coming.
well...
Let's put it in the museum. Then we can call it The Real Bridge to Nowhere!!!
Put it over...
...the Dimond Sinkhole.
I want to hear from the Alaska Native Brotherhood.
***
$19 million?
Is it just me, or does $19 million seem a little steep for replacing the old bridge? And, yes... the current bridge is quite narrow, and undoubtedly unsafe for the amount of foot/bicycle traffic that routinely cross it.
In 2005, the DOT estimated a 23-mile pioneer gravel road out of Juneau with temporary bridges would cost approximately $30 million. So, what exactly is $19-million buying? Does anyone know if there are any conceptional drawings available for viewing?
bridge
Any chance the forest service or trail people might be interested. Strong enough for ped. traffic?
another bridge to "nowhere"
Only in Alaska...
What?
The word silly seems to be the first word to come to mind after reading this article. Dumb is a close second.
Brotherhood Bridge
I remember watching this bridge being built & wondering why we needed such a HUGE bridge when there wasn't anywhere near the traffic load to justify it. Now it is the most congested spot on the road. As soon as it was built some one swiped one of the medallions & I think they had to cast another one. I can think of at least eight traffic bridges & two foot bridges that have spanned the Mendenhall River.
Are you new around here?
AK_Jase - "Is the "Brotherhood Bridge" referenced in this article, the bridge located next to Safeway (which was scheduled to be replaced several years ago)?"
Yes, and it's been in the "planning / funding stages" for the last few years. It's also a DOT project which means it's payed for by state and federal funds, not local funds.
I agree that it should just be scraped out, but you never know if someone else can use it if you don't ask. Other then maybe saving the side rails, why require that it be kept intact?
Anyone seen drawings yet on the new bridge? Wonder how a four lane bridge is going to work with the Industrial Blvd intersection?
gmram120
Good question regarding Industrial Blvd. Hopefully DOT won't fall back to their current intersection fix-all, the roundabout.
I think I read somewhere that
I think I read somewhere that Industrial Boulevard is going to be realigned it so it squares up with Wildmeadow Lane. That should work OK with the new bridge.
Ridiculous
Just scrap the bridge and get to building the new one, who cares about past dedications, etc. Time to move on! Why doesn't ANB just buy it and get it over with if they want to keep the dedication alive.
Here we go again
Have the good people at DOT flipped their corks? I am certain that people wanting to have their very own bridge will number in the hundreds. Get real people, if the existing bridge has exceeded it's life expectancy then get rid of it. I would like to know how many hours it will take and what in the way of public funds will be expended to see the sale of the bridge through. This proposal is nothing less than ridiculous.
I would also like to hear comment regarding as to specifically why the present structure needs to go away. Likely, it will be a public safety concern, ever so common in justifying the expenditure of public funds nowadays. If there is a possibly that the bridge can be repaired then do it. Times are tough and they are going to get tougher. Our public servants need to closely scrutinize ever dollar that they plan to spend or actually spend on our behalf. Spend the funds like they are coming out of your own personal account DOT staffers !
Here we go again
Have the good people at DOT flipped their corks? I am certain that people wanting to have their very own bridge will number in the hundreds. Get real people, if the existing bridge has exceeded it's life expectancy then get rid of it. I would like to know how many hours it will take and what in the way of public funds will be expended to see the sale of the bridge through. This proposal is nothing less than ridiculous.
I would also like to hear comment regarding as to specifically why the present structure needs to go away. Likely, it will be a public safety concern, ever so common in justifying the expenditure of public funds nowadays. If there is a possibly that the bridge can be repaired then do it. Times are tough and they are going to get tougher. Our public servants need to closely scrutinize ever dollar that they plan to spend or actually spend on our behalf. Spend the funds like they are coming out of your own personal account DOT staffers !
10 Bridges across Mendenhall
I wrote that I knew of at least 8 traffic & 2 foot bridges & got thumbs down from people that know nothing.
(1) 1917? wood bridge on the flats.
(2) Double cantilever at current Brotherhood site.
(3) Brotherhood bridge
(4) Foot bridge at new Highschool.
(5) 1903 wood bridge to Mansfield Mine (see it on Vilda).
(6) Temporary bridge downstream from Back Loop Bridge.
(7) Current Back Loop Bridge
(8) Back Loop Bridge before this current one built.
(9) 1921 Covered Bridge at Back Loop.
(10) CCC Foot bridge built at Mendenhall Lake.
Thanks for being respectful.