The Champ Clark Bridge, one of the available bridges, connects Pike County, Missouri and Pike County, Illinois.The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) has several bridges available for donation to a state, locality or “responsible private entity.” This is a result of the federal requirement that requires any state proposing to demolish a historic bridge to make it available.
“These bridges are considered historic as they are eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places,” says Karen Daniels, MoDOT’s senior historic preservation specialist. “We encourage any individual or organization who may be interested in taking all or part of these bridges to submit a proposal for reuse.”
The agency says up to 80 percent of the demolitions costs is “potentially” available to reimburse those reusing the bridge, but there are requirements and limitations. MoDOT also stresses that the “Buy America” provisions of Federal grants apply, but waivers are available through a six to 12 month process, which should be considered when submitting grant timelines.
Ownership of the bridges are transferred and owners will “assume all legal and financial responsibility for the structure.”
More details, including a list of bridges, is available at MoDOT’s Free Bridges website at https://www.modot.org/free-bridges.
