New Hope

It's always nice when despair and not knowing are replaced by a path forward. That path has been created by the Michigan bridge lovers. I called Vern Mesler on the day that the I found that our bridge had been swept downstream. Even though Vern had told me that they could fix the bridge, even if it was in the water, it was a sobering reality.

Then the guys from BACH Steel came to visit, and within days had made two site visits, and established a quote for removal of the bridge from the river and shipping to Michigan for repair. At one point I had thought that we could do the work in Iowa, but coming up to speed with all of the equipment, the shop and the extraordinary skills of these guys would be nearly impossible. Might be possible for me to help and learn some of these skills so that we Iowans can start to compete in historic bridge preservation.

I am currently in Michigan, checking out BACH Steel references, visiting Vern's Historic Bridge Park and on my way back checking out the Wabash & Erie Canal Park that another group has not only restored a bridge but built canal boats. We can do this. I have been convinced and the vision of a newly restored Skunk River Bridge is etched in my mind. Once one has a vision one can move forward.