Broad Avenue Bridge

http://www.walb.com/Category/240202/video-landing-page?clipId=8169140&autostart=true

Video of first main arch span coming down.... Sad.

Already nearly 900 people from Albany and across the nation have signed an online petition to promote the re-purposing of this Bridge for pedestrians and cyclists. This option, which is both practical and feasible, follows similar successes in Columbus and Chattanooga. A pedestrianized Broad Avenue Memorial Bridge is critical to the revitalization of historic downtown Albany and its Riverfront. The petition can be found at change.org:

http://www.change.org/petitions/save-albanys-historic-broad-avenue-memorial-bridge-2

this bridge is seen in a scene up courageous, a recent movie released to theaters. I would post a picture but I'm pretty sure that is copyrighted material. But I double checked its 4 minutes and 48 seconds into the movie.

Decomissioning Ceremony on February 11, 2012 at 11 AM by the SOWEGA Veterans Coalition which consists of both American Legion Posts 30 & 512, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2785, Marine Corps League, Air Force Sergeants Assn, Disabled American Veterans, Vietnam Vets Assn and Fleet Reserve. The last performance of it's type by the U.S. Marine Corps Band will be playing for the ceremony which will honor those in WWI for whom the bridge was dedicated to.

Once the new bridge is completed, it will be recomissioned with WWI dedication plaques restored. Since it will technically be a new bridge, a plaque will be added and the bridge re-dedicated to include those who served since WWI.

Help to promote the re-use of this Bridge -- possibly as a pedestrianized crossing! There is a new Facebook group with the aim to "Save the Broad Avenue Bridge" -- and nearly 700 fans have already voiced their support. Join the Facebook group in order to keep up with the latest news on restoring the Bridge and to learn how to help in this important effort.

Note that this is one of the only historic bridges in this entire region which has nearly zero historic bridges. I recall communicating with someone about this bridge through email a while ago. Let me give you the barf bag I used then!

Sure....let's replace a beautiful open-spandrel arch with a hideous structure that looks more like an arched railroad girder.

Nathan...I need one of your barf bags!

It's about time that penalties start being assessed toward bridges that are allowed to deteriorate "beyond repair".

According to the attached article, this bridge was closed to traffic on 2/12/09 after an underwater inspection revealed footing damage (need to change the bridge status). GDOT is moving forward with a replacement bridge and plans to demolish the current structure, but there is a local effort to keep the existing existing bridge for pedestrian use:

http://www.albanyherald.com/news/2011/nov/30/should-current-broad-avenue-bridge-be-saved-growin/

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This bridge was closed recently due to deterioration on the supports..