We Need YOUR Help! Please consider writing a letter to INDOT!!

Hello friends, I want to share an update on the progress of saving our Big Blue Bridge! As of today, we are approaching 1700 signatures! There are still quite a few people who have no idea our bridge is in jeopardy so I began a “Save The Big Blue Bridge” Facebook page to raise awareness! This allows me to communicate important updates on the bridge while also sharing historical and architectural information as we gain momentum to rally our community into action. In just a few weeks, we have 189 members, hundreds of shares, many comments of support and appreciation for our efforts. Clearly, The Big Blue Bridge is a Well Loved Local Landmark that people greatly enjoy and want to see remain in our community! 

There is so much happening-Yesterday, I heard from Jane Spencer of the Jay County Historical Society. Their board has voted to draft letters to encourage INDOT and our state representatives to help us keep the bridge in our community. Every historic or architectural landmark that we have helps us enjoy and appreciate our community's uniqueness.  It makes a nice addition to the east end with the Historical Museum and Hawkins House. If we lose our bridge, we lose another part of who we are and one of the distinctive things for which Portland is known. 

 I heard from Mark Dollace with Indiana Landmarks, a historic preservation organization in Indy. I shared how our community is rallying together to save our historic bridge! They were impressed with all our efforts and offered their expertise! They said  “Due to the irregularities that you cite, and the apparent significant opposition to the bridge’s replacement, I would suggest you request a meeting with Clark Packer. I would suggest that you ask your state senator or representative to accompany you. I’d be happy to join you at the meeting. I previously served on the Federal Highway Administration Task force.” Indiana Landmarks also encourages citizens to call or write to Mary Kennedy at INDOT to request changing the status of our bridge from a non-select  to Historical “Select” which would give it protected status to preserve the bridge for the future. When repaired, and restored, a steel truss bridge will continue to last long past the new concrete pedestal bridge. The strength of a steel truss is quite amazing! Our current bridge spans the full 150 feet without the need to have support beneath it because of the ingenuity of the trusses. Whereas the new concrete bridge will require 2 support pedestals under it. These pedestals will periodically have to be cleaned out as they gather debris. 

  Our commissioners helped me find a working contact number for Milestone Construction. learned they have no plans to use the bridge and will in fact be torn out piece by piece then sold for scrap. I asked if our community could somehow acquire the bridge- which he felt was a possibility. It would save them from having to demolish it. I then asked if they would be willing to call a meeting with INDOT to relook at the bridge project and renegotiate?  If they both agreed, then no one would be breaching the contract! I explained that our citizens & leaders were just trying to navigate the full effects of the delta variant and missed the discussion when other options were originally available to us. He seemed sympathetic to our cause, was open-minded and offered to look into both ideas. I reiterated that it is our first priority to save the bridge where it stands. But if that isn’t possible, could they help us move it approximately a 100 feet to the south so we could connect the JRDS exercise trail with the Hudson Family Park Nature Trail!  Either option would make a great story of how the community, the state, and a great company came together- against all odds- to create a positive outcome for a small town! 

I also contacted Jim Sinclair at JRDS and he said he likes the idea of connecting their trails. An email has been sent to the board of directors to ask for their approval. I hope to hear from them soon. In addition, Limberlost construction has agreed to store the bridge for at least a year should we need to move it to a different location

 The Big blue bridge is a source of pride that welcomes visitors to our town. It connects us with people and communities nearby. The bridge is beautiful; it’s impressive to look at, and fun to drive through. Without such landmarks, our city would not be as interesting to visit. It is vitally important to preserve our bridge for future generations. Truly, it’s hard to picture Portland without our Big Blue Bridge adorning the highway over the river.  Again, Our Parker Steel Truss bridge is the last of its kind in Jay County. They don't make them like this anymore, yet they are an architectural treasure that can be enjoyed by all generations. 

Time is running out. We need your help to be more effective! We only have a month or so left to compel INDOT to change course. The more we show them how much we want to keep our bridge, the more likely we are to save it~ We must show them how much the bridge means to a small community like ours. We want to restore it which will cost considerably less money than it will cost to replace it. Our bridge adds beauty and charm to our community. People genuinely enjoy seeing it and take pride in this local landmark as it welcomes people to Portland. I hope you are inspired to help us save a special part of our community. Please email Mary Kennedy at mkennedy@indot.in.gov. Contact your state officials. JD Prescott, Travis Holdman, and Todd Rokita. Let them know how much the bridge means to us. The time is now to compel them to help us set up a meeting, and re-look at the bridge project. This is our last chance - once a bridge like ours is gone, we can never get it back! For a complete list of contacts, see the list below and also please join our Save the Big Blue Bridge Facebook Page or contact Jenny Bricker 260-251-5595

Mary Kennedy

Environmental Services-Cultural Resources

Indiana Department of Transportation

100 N. Senate Ave, IGCN 642

Indianapolis, IN 46204

317-694-3607

mkennedy@indot.in.gov

Stacy South

INDOT customer service

indotgreenfieldcustomerservice@indot.in.gov

J.D. Prescott Representative | District 33

200 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46204.

Phone:(800) 382-9841

Email: h33@iga.in.gov

Travis Holdman 

200 W. Washington St.

Indianapolis, IN 46204

Phone: 800-382-9467

Email: Senator.Holdman@iga.in.gov

Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita

Indiana Government Center South

302 W. Washington St., 5th Floor

Indianapolis, IN 46204

Phone: (317) 232-6201

www.in.gov/attorneygeneral/contact-us/

Clark Packer, Deputy Commissioner

INDOT Greenfield District

32 South Broadway

Greenfield, IN 46140

Toll Free: 855-INDOT4U (463-6848)

Fax: 317-462-7031              

indotgreenfieldcustomerservice@indot.IN.gov