Sean C. Morgan
Of The New Era
Weddle Bridge must have a new roof before winter rain sets in and further damages other parts of the bridge, according to Karla Burcham and Carol Lewis.
Sunlight streams through holes the length of the bridge, spanning Ames Creek at Sankey Park.
The effort to repair the bridge began in 2004 when Alex Paul, then-publisher of The New Era, was taking Sportsman’s Holiday Court photos at the bridge, said Burcham, coordinator of the court. Rain that day was pouring through the holes in the roof onto the court. They started talking about ways to repair the bridge.
“Of the repairs, the roof needs to be replaced as soon as possible in order to protect the bridge decking, beams require treatment and or replacement, railings and posts need to be replaced with treated lumber and the bridge needs to be painted,” Burcham said. “We are hoping that other local businesses or individuals will join in and help us complete the renovations as well. Our goal is to raise $36,000.”
That money would replace the roof with a metal roofing system that looks like cedar, Lewis said. The alternative is a cedar roof that will last approximately 15 years. The metal roof is guaranteed for a 50-year life. A cedar roof would cost around $10,000.
The ends of the bridge foundation and the beams under the bridge have some dry rot, Lewis said.
The total cost to repair the bridge will probably be more than $50,000, counting the metal roofing system.
The bridge was turned over to the City of Sweet Home in 1996, Burcham said. However, the city is laboring under a serious budget crisis and cannot fund the repairs.
The city of Sweet Home is currently working on replacing the posts and railings, Burcham said. The city’s budget committee also has agreed to put $1,000 per year toward regular bridge maintenance.
The Save the Weddle Bridge Committee (SWBC) has secured a grant of $2,500 through the Sweet Home Community Foundation that will help with painting the bridge, and the Northwest Youth Corps will volunteer 420 hours to help paint it. The paint includes a fire retardant.
The SWBC has also submitted a grant request to the Weyerhaeuser Company and the JELD-WEN Foundation.
“The committee will continue to look for various funding options; however, it is very important that we replace the roof (before winter),” Burcham said.
This year marks the 15th anniversary of the Weddle Bridge. It was moved from Thomas Creek to Sankey Park in 1990.
“The bridge is an important tourist attraction and a main focal point for the city of Sweet Home used often for a photo backdrop or to hold celebrations,” Burcham said.
The bridge is not eligible for funds to save historic buildings because it has been relocated, Lewis said. Because the entire nation has only 880 covered bridges left and many of those have been moved, legislators have been talking about money to save relocated bridges as well.
Dahlenburg Bridge, right next to the Weddle Bridge, is in better shape but needs to be painted as well as the Whitmore Bridge at Clover Memorial Park. The Whitmore Bridge was built and used to pitch the Weddle Bridge project.
Partners with the SWBC include the city of Sweet Home, School District 55, the Chamber of Commerce, Sweet Home Economic Development Group and Cascade Timber Consulting.
Donations to the project should be given to the President’s Club, a tax-deductible nonprofit organization. Donations may be mailed to 1394 Poplar Street, Sweet Home, OR 97386.
For further information, contact committee members Mike Adams, 367-6977; Karen Owen, 367-6186; Burcham, 367-4384; Paul, 367-8426; Ben Dahlenburg, 367-4677; Scott Proctor, 367-3525; Howard Dew, 367-2111; or Pat Wood, 367-6977.
Lewis also is looking for ideas to keep the bridge busy and make it uncomfortable for vandals to deface it. She asks that people call her at 367-2113 with ideas.