Save Our Bridge, Inc. and the National Trust for Historic Preservation declared a victory in the 25-year-long battle to save the Bridge of Lions, a historic bridge in St. Augustine Fla. built in 1927.

After completing an extensive and rigorous review process for the Bridge of Lions Project, the Florida Department of Transportation announced on October 6, 2003 that the Record of Decision had been received from the Federal Highway Administration, stating that rehabilitation is the chosen option. This brings to a close the Section< 4(f) Evaluation required by the Department of Transportation Act of 1966 which protects historic structures listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

"Rehabilitation of the Bridge of Lions is a significant victory for those of us interested in saving the historic bridges of the United States", stated Eric DeLony, chief of the Historic American Engineering Record in his recent comments to the Environmental Impact Statement released in May 2003. "FDOT is to be congratulated for outstanding public service."

Addressing both the safety and preservation issues involved in the restoration of historic bridges is a growing national concern that has led to the development of many local, statewide and national organizations dedicated to preserving these corridors to our past. St. Augustine residents have been embroiled in the controversy over whether to restore or replace the 76 year old draw bridge for a quarter-century.

"It wasn`t until the federal review process began that the debate took form", says Theresa Segal, president of Save Our Bridge. "The section 4(f) Evaluation provided for public participation every step of the way, adding structure and closure to an otherwise very emotional matter."

The Bridge of Lions is a Mediterranean-style bascule bridge located in the historic downtown of St. Augustine, Florida, the nation`s oldest continuously occupied European settlement. The bridge, built in the Florida boom of the1920`s, with its graceful arches, tile-roofed towers and marble lion statues was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. In 1976 it was recognized by the American Society of Civil Engineers as one of the most significant bridges in Florida and in1997 it was placed on the National Trust for Historic Preservation`s America`s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places list.

"The Bridge of Lions has become an integral component of St.Augustine`s historic landscape and skyline as well as a symbol of civic pride", said Richard Moe, president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. "FDOT`s decision to rehabilitate this historic bridge has set an excellent example for other states that are facing similar decisions. It reinforces to other local, state, and federal agencies that preservation is a viable, cost-effective option when updating their road systems. This victory reiterates the importance of the protections to historic places provided by Section 4 (f) of the transportation bill."

Final design for the rehabilitation is scheduled for completion this month and the construction bidding will occur in May, 2004. The construction phase of the rehabilitation is estimated to take 3-4 years.

For more information:
Tallahassee Office:
Post Office Box 11206
Tallahassee, Florida 32302
Phone: (850)224-8128
Fax: (850)224-8159
information@floridatrust.org
www.floridatrust.org

The Bridge of Lions Web site contains photos and further information.