Carroll County’s Stearns Truss Bridge and Carrollton Bridge had been in danger of being demolished, but are still standing strong thanks to the efforts of Carroll County Commissioners and the Carroll County Wabash and Erie Canal Association.

Both groups were honored by the Western Region Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana for their work to save the two bridges. Only two awards are given out each year in the western region, according to Historic Landmarks Western Regional Office Director Tommy Kleckner.

Kleckner feels it is important to honor the rehabilitation efforts of both groups.

“We’ve seen such a loss of historic bridges over the past decades,” he said. “As we continue to advocate for their retention, we keep looking for examples of how it can be done.”

He said both bridges serve as a good example for others.

The Carrollton Bridge was initially going to be replaced and its restoration has been a nearly 12-year effort.

“We wanted to recognize not all preservation projects occur in a short period of time,” Kleckner said. “It’s a message to people not to give up.”

He added the group wanted to acknowledge the Carroll County Commissioners, who decided to rehabilitate the bridge instead of tearing it down.

Commissioner George Mears said the commissioners didn’t expect to receive awards on the completed work. In fact, he said this is the third award they’ve received for the project.

“... We really didn’t seek any of them,” Mears said. “We are glad to have them.”

The first two were awarded earlier this year from the American Council of Engineering Companies and Indiana Partnership for Transportation Quality.

Mears explained the rehabilitation project was a way to save costs and to save a unique and historic structure in the community.

“It is a win-win situation,” he said.

Mears added it would have cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to tear out the bridge and rebuild. Instead, the bridge’s deteriorating railings were replaced, the road was widened and some of the drains were fixed.

The Stearns Truss Bridge was relocated from Pulaski County and saved by a group of volunteers, who dismantled, painted and laid new decking.

“We really wanted to recognize a project that was truly a volunteer project,” Kleckner said.

Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana was impressed by the short amount of time in which the Carroll County Wabash and Erie Canal Association completed the work.

Kleckner said the bridge was abandoned and ready to be torn down. The rehabilitation work proved it could still be used.

Carroll County Wabash and Erie Canal Association President Dan McCain, said the bridge is very unique and is the only one of its kind left in the country.

“We worked a lot of hours,” he said. “Thousands of hours.”

Throughout the entire process, McCain said the Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana was very helpful.

“They were very supportive even back at the beginning, when we bought the bridge for $10 from Pulaski County,” he said.

Even after all the hard work and long hours, both groups are ready to start a new project.

Mears said the commissioners plan on taking on the challenge of rehabilitating the Burnett’s Creek Arch.

The Carroll County Wabash and Erie Canal Association has something else in mind.

“We have our eyes on another bridge here in Carroll County, but its not available yet,” said McCain. “It is another bridge we hope to use for over the canal.”

Denise Massie can be reached at (574) 732-5151 or via e-mail at denise.massie@pharostribune.com