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With potential demolition plans imminent, Save The Bridge Association is still fighting to preserve Waterville’s landmark Interurban Bridge at Roche de Boeuf. 

On Tuesday, April 14, Waterville Mayor Tim Pedro and representatives of Save The Bridge met with Governor DeWine following his address to the Bowling Green State University Democracy & Public Policy Network, which was held on the campus of BGSU.

During the private meeting with the governor, Save The Bridge presented late-breaking information supporting the case for preservation of the historic bridge. Mayor Pedro and Save The Bridge representatives requested an additional year pause on demolition of the bridge. Although this full request was denied by the governor, after further discussion, he opened a 30-day window of cooperation between ODOT District 2 Director Pat McColley and Bill Vermes, a professional civil engineer and bridge inspector with 40 years experience and a track record of saving historic bridges in the U.S. Vermes has inspected the Interurban Bridge at Roche de Boeuf and is completing an alternative professional engineering report on the bridge and an adaptive reuse plan for it. Vermes reuse plan for the historic Interurban Bridge at Roche de Boeuf features a pedestrian and bike path across the Maumee River. Per the governor’s directive, McColley will coordinate with Vermes, Pedro and STBA on the new engineering report and potential preservation option. 

Save The Bridge representatives emphasized that the proposed future pedestrian and bike path would offer panoramic views from the Maumee River and make an ideal storybook trail, featuring the many layers of history present at the landmark site. Vermes asked STBA to share highlights of his initial ratings with the governor, stating that he believes the structure could be the foundation for “the most impressive dedicated pedestrian and biking bridge in Ohio, if not the entire United States”.

The Interurban Bridge at Roche de Boeuf has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1972. It is a National Park Service registered historic place and a State of Ohio designated historic place. Completed in 1908, the Interurban Bridge was the longest reinforced concrete bridge in the United States when it opened. Designed by Daniel Luten of Indianapolis, the bridge featured a revolutionary design of reinforced concrete.

Save The Bridge Association is a grassroots citizens’ group working to save the historic and nationally significant Interurban Bridge from demolition; and to preserve it as a Northwest Ohio cultural and scenic icon for future generations. Saving this bridge – this year – during America’s 250thbirthday – would be a tribute to American ingenuity, Ohio transportation history, and community pride in longstanding cultural resources.