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Historic Bridge Marketing Program Background

Historic preservationists have informed Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) that Indiana is replacing too many historic bridges. They have indicated that not enough analysis is being conducted to determine if these historic bridges can actually be reused in place, either for vehicular or non-vehicular reuse. Most of these bridges are located on the county highway system.

Currently, projects utilizing federal funds and involving a historic bridge are analyzed to see if the existing bridge will meet the Purpose and Need of the future traffic conditions expected on that roadway segment. If it does, then rehabilitation of that historic bridge is considered as a viable option for reuse of the existing structure. If the historic structure does not meet the Purpose and Need for the motoring public other alternatives are considered. First, an alternative to "by pass"(avoidance alternative) the existing historic structure and build a new road and bridge on an alternate alignment is considered. These alternative alignments are required for consideration when using federal funding for the project. If avoidance alternative alignments are not viable, the alignment of placing the new bridge on the existing structure alignment is also considered. An avoidance alternative must be implemented if it is both "feasible" and "prudent".

Many times avoidance of these historic bridges is feasible with a parallel bridge. However, many counties do not want to maintain ownership of the remaining historic bridge. Reasons include higher maintenance and liability costs, among others. It is FHWA’s position that these reasons are enough to make an avoidance alternative not prudent.

When a historic bridge is planned for bypassing or replacement, the bridge is offered to any group or individual that may want to take ownership of the bridge and manage or relocate it to another site. The availability of this is advertised for sixty (60) days, in local and state newspapers, and takes place before approval of the environmental document by FHWA. It has been indicated that this time span is not long enough to build interest and collect funds needed to relocate a bridge.

In response, INDOT and FHWA are currently working on an effort to enhance the marketing of these historic structures for preservation in-place and for relocation (storage or to a new site). This plan will lengthen the amount of time a historic bridge is advertised and make Transportation Enhancement funds available for this work. We are also stepping up our efforts to find groups or individuals that may want these bridges.