The Historic Bridge Foundation (HBF) has joined with the Atchison Preservation Alliance (APA) and the National Trust for Historic Preservation to work toward a rehabilitation alternative for the Amelia Earhart Memorial Bridge over the Missouri River at Atchison, Kansas, which is being considered for replacement by the Missouri and Kansas DOTs. The APA, Atchison's local historic preservation organization, has been at the forefront of the effort to save the bridge. The National Trust has also entered the Section 106 review process as an interested party.

The Amelia Earhart Memorial Bridge, formerly known as the Free Bridge and the Mo-Kan Bridge, was constructed in 1937-1939 under the Public Works Administration, and was designed by the notable engineering firm of Sverdrup & Parcel of St. Louis. The main spans of the bridge are cantilever truss designs. Counting the bridge's long approach spans, the total length is roughly 2500-feet. The metal in the trusses is reported to be silicon steel, an innovative high-strength material at the time.

Historic Bridge Foundation board president, Patrick Sparks, met with the APA in Atchison on December 4, 2004 to discuss ways of saving the historic 1937 truss span over the Missouri River. While in Atchison, Sparks met with Joan Adam, Executive Director of the APA.

"We had been in discussions with APA for several months, keeping apprised of the status of the 106 Review. We felt we needed to get up there and lend our support to the local efforts. The HBF is committed to seeing the bridge saved. The Historic Bridge Foundation fully supports the rehabilitation of the bridge for continued vehicular use, and we will endorse any plan that will preserve it," said Kitty Henderson, Executive Director of the Historic Bridge Foundation.

While in Atchison, Sparks reviewed the past reports and feasibility studies. "Clearly, the Atchison Preservation Alliance has been doing the right things, taking a rational approach, and asking the right questions." APA even retained Abba Lichtenstein, an internationally recognized bridge expert, to look at the bridge and advise the group on preservation alternatives. Officials at Kansas DOT have publicly stated that the Amelia Earhart Bridge is "an old bridge in bad shape." Mr. Lichtenstein, and engineer with over 50 years experience, has questioned Kansas DOT's conclusion that the bridge is in poor condition, finding that the bridge is actually "in fine condition."

"The Historic Bridge Foundation agrees completely with Mr. Lichtenstein's report. We are very pleased that an engineer of his stature has looked at this bridge," according to Sparks. "This is a significant bridge, it seems to be in good condition for its age, and we will endorse a plan that will keep it."

Currently, there are two options being considered by Kansas DOT. Option 1 contemplates replacing the historic bridge with a 4-lane concrete and steel structure on a new alignment adjacent to the existing bridge. After construction of the new bridge, the historic structure would be demolished.

Option 2 would rehabilitate the historic bridge, and build a new two-lane bridge to the south. But after only 30 years, the Amelia Earhart Bridge would still be torn down, according to KDOT. This is based on KDOT's estimate of the life-cycle of the bridge after rehabilitation.

According to Amy Cole, Senior Program Officer for National Trust for Historic Preservation, the National Trust has retained an engineering firm to look at KDOT's cost estimates. That study has found that the estimated cost of the total project is sensitive to the assumed remaining life of the historic bridge. A longer life means a lower life-cycle cost. "If the rehabilitation is done properly, there should be a much longer life than 30-years, more like 70-years," according to Sparks.

The Historic Bridge Foundation plans to stay involved with the local group and the National Trust. Future efforts may include participation in public meetings, review of reports, and advising public officials regarding the benefits of rehabilitation versus replacement.

The National Trust Web site contains photos and further information.