Letter to the Editor: The Black Hawk Bridge

To the Editor:

It is our town’s icon, Lansing, Iowa;
Since 1931, our link to Wisconsin;
Economically, half of our business livelihood;
Our “brand” stands proud over The Mighty Miss.

We have been told she is like an erector set,
Just replace parts as needed;
Inspections and repairs are necessary forever.
What 86 year old does not need a check-up occasionally?

The IDOT had an infomercial concerning her replacement
In Lansing this week, giving us three replacement alternatives to choose from;
Not a word about keeping her around for another 50 years;
They already have her in a grave.

Soundings were done on the piers that support her,
Proving them sound and secure.
She is strong, no limits have been placed on loading her.
She is narrow, not conforming to current standards.

Her bed will need replacing, it is a metal grid;
3,000 vehicles a day travel across our majestic river.
Trucks are inconvenienced by her, barges are also.
The Corps of Engineers would like a wider channel.

Are the powers that be, trying to abandon her?
For their convenience, their economic viability, or ours?
Many questions, few answers, about her safety, stability, into the future.
Option 4 should exist, keeping her alive, unless she is not safe and secure.

We need another meeting in Lansing
With the IDOT, giving us answers to our many questions.
Who benefits, why, who pays to replace, who pays for maintenance?
We love our bridge, I will not just let the powers that be push her aside.

Destroying our icon without a good, local, viability reason, makes no sense.
We need to unite as a community around this issue,
Talk it through, with knowledge around all issues.
We have time, there is no rush to come up with what we,
The Citizens of Lansing and Allamakee County, want.

Bruce Carlson
Lansing