I am very sorry to hear that, in your opinion, our History is "nothing"! And that our town is 'nothing'! This viaduct represents our railroad heritage, of which very little is left today for future generations to know & enjoy. It also contributes greatly to safety, noise & aesthetic purposes for our City as well as the Katy Trail, which is traveled by hundreds of hikers/bikers every year. We know it means nothing to outsiders such as you, but I think if you would take a history lesson along with your pictures you would be a little more educated as to its being a "bridge over nothing"!
This viaduct is considered a work of art for its day and should be given more consideration for its historic value. We don't call it 'peculiar, we call it 'unique' & useful, but endangered by folks such as you.
You evidently mis-spoke when you said our historic viaduct was a 'bridge over nothing'. We strive to make it known as our 'viaduct over history' for the future and not allow it to become another 'casuality' of so-called 21st Century progress that says "Be Damned With the Past!"
"A BRIDGE OVER NOTHING" - I THINK NOT!!
Hi everyone - One of my favorite bridges (the New Franklin Viaduct (Vidoc) is to be removed. Here is the story from the Boonville Daily News:
By Nadalie Truex
Boonville Daily News
Thu Aug 07, 2008, 02:54 PM CDT
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Boonville, Mo. -
Preston Kramer of the Missouri Department of Transportation told the New Franklin city council that the Rt. 5 bridge that runs over the Katy Trail needs to be removed entirely. At the council’s Monday night meeting, Kramer said MoDOT plans to build a crossing with the Katy Trail in its place. “The Department of Natural Resources thinks this would open up the town to trail users rather than just the entrance,” he said.
The proposal calls for traffic to operate the same as it does now. Route 5 would be dropped from the bridge to the ground with the roadway being converted into a highway. The project’s estimated budget is set at $1.3 million to complete with the majority of the estimate allocated to the removal of the bridge.
Tentatively, a public meeting to discuss the project is to be scheduled between now and October. The project is scheduled to start as early as next year’s post-harvest season and will take six weeks to complete.
For the rest of the story, see the August 7, 2008 print edition of the Boonville Daily News.
When asked about traffic, Kramer was ready to answer the council’s questions. He said drivers that use Route 5 can use detours during the construction period. He said there will be a local detour and a side detour. A temporary roadway southeast of the bridge would also be put into play.
The ground underneath the bridge is owned by the city of New Franklin, so the city would be responsible for maintaining the grounds.
And here is one from The Democrat Leader/ The Fayette Advertiser:
MoDOT eyes radical change for New Franklin viaduct entrance
Aug 5, 2008
A proposed major change to the Highway 5 south entrance into New Franklin dominated the NF city council regular meeting Monday evening. Also, the 2008 tax rate was voluntarily rolled back and types of vehicles allowed on city streets were among additional discussion topics.
Hwy 5 viaduct ‘nearing end of life’
The bridge at the south entrance to New Franklin may be demolished, but not any time soon. It spans what used to be the old Katy (M-K-T) switching yards at Franklin.
Preston Kramer of the Missouri Department of Transportation told New Franklin council members that the viaduct, which now spans the Katy Trail, is safe, but “nearing the end of its life.”
MoDOT proposes demolishing the bridge and reconstructing Highway 5 on the ground. The project is estimated to cost about $1.3 million and will begin no earlier than the fall of 2009. As yet, funds are not in place for the project, but Preston believed monies will be found from federal sources.
The 1939-40 bridge has been inspected within the last year, and is judged structurally sound at this time.
A public hearing on the proposed project will be scheduled for the month of October.
Preston asked for official support from city officials. City officials will consider and discuss endorsement at their next meeting.
