Sean C. Morgan
Of The New Era
In an attempt to diminish vandalism, Dahlenburg and Weddle bridges now have new iron gates replacing chain-link fencing to block access to the public.
Island Fence Company of Junction City installed the gates Monday.
The bridges, both located at Sankey Park, will be closed indefinitely to the public, city officials say. Weddle Bridge was initially closed for repairs, but vandalism had become so rampant on that bridge and its smaller cousin, the Dahlenburg Bridge, that city officials decided to keep them closed.
They may be opened for special events, weekends and summer. Community Development Director Carol Lewis said that most of the vandalism takes place when school is in session.
The city has also rebuilt the entrance, handrails and roof on Dahlenburg Bridge. The bridge was heavily damaged by juveniles last school year, Lewis said.
The back side of the bridge will not be repaired this fiscal year, she said. Most likely repairs will be budgeted in the 2007-08 fiscal year.
“They opened Weddle Bridge on Thursday,” Lewis said. “It’s already vandalized.”
The fencing was taken down to make room for the gates, she said. People came onto the bridge and threw knives into the wood, then they threw things at the knives to dislodge them and repeat the process.
“The new gates look good,” Lewis said. “They don’t look quite so tacky” as the chains and fencing.
Lewis is about a quarter to a third of the way through writing a request for bids on the first of the repairs needed on Weddle Bridge, the upper chord and truss, which must be repaired before the roof can be finished.
Covered bridge expert Phil Pierce of New York is now licensed as an engineer in Oregon. He will handle all of the permit plans for the bridge, which must be approved by the city’s building official.
One of the main questions in the bidding process will be timing – when contractors think they can get the job done, Lewis said. Some tell her they can work on it through the winter.
High water is the main concern working around the bridge during the winter, she said.