Rock Island Swing Bridge: Pedestrian possibilities

The historic Rock Island Swing Bridge, once racing toward extinction as an unsafe structure that spans the Mississippi River in the east metro, is gaining support among park and trail advocates who want to save it.

A National Park Service superintendent has risen to the bridge's defense, saying that it would cost no more to preserve as a public amenity than to demolish as a public nuisance. Dakota County, meanwhile, is investigating possible recreational uses for the western span of the bridge at Inver Grove Heights.

"This is a pretty spectacular bridge," said Paul Labovitz, superintendent of the 72-mile Mississippi National River and Recreation Area. "Possibly the last bridge of its kind."

In an attempt to save the bridge, Labovitz and other National Park Service rangers will give tours on the bridge from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today. He said he hoped it wouldn't be the last time people get to see it.

Removal of the deteriorating bridge that once ferried automobiles and trains between Dakota and Washington counties has been discussed for years. Most recently known as JAR Bridge, the structure was closed to trains in 1980 and vehicle traffic in 1999. The bridge was built in 1894 -- when Grover Cleveland was president -- for the South St. Paul Beltline Railroad to connect stockyards in nearby South St. Paul, with main rail lines that ran through St. Paul Park on the Washington County side of the river. Trains chugged over the bridge's top deck while vehicles glided underneath.

Both counties had talked about demolition as early as this winter, citing safety concerns.

Washington County plans to remove the span on its side of the river because Marathon Oil now owns the land leading to it, which is adjacent to the refinery. Dakota County has a similar plan for the longer span on its side, but neither county is prepared to fund the $5 million to $8 million demolition in harsh economic times.

"Let's not be in that big of a rush," said Labovitz, who envisions the bridge as a vital component to the Mississippi River Regional Trail, a network of local, state and regional trails that someday will be in place.

Dakota County has a second plan for the western span of the bridge, and that's to find a use for it.

"We believe that it's feasible to restore the western pier for a recreational purpose," said Steve Sullivan, the county's parks director. "It would provide access to the river, bringing people out to the main channel. The western pier could be a premiere destination on this trail corridor."

The eastern span and the swing portion are a different matter. Washington County inherited them when private owners of the structure defaulted on taxes. The county no longer owns roads leading to the span, said Wayne Sandberg, the county's assistant engineer. He said that "unless somebody is ready to get their checkbook out," those portions of the old bridge will be torn down in early 2010. The western span would be torn down at the same time, said Todd Howard, a transportation project manager in Dakota County.

The 1,661-foot bridge is deeply rooted in history. Labovitz said it might be the only one still standing where trains ran on the upper deck. It also was the metro's last toll bridge, costing 75 cents to cross. And there's some evidence that gangster John Dillinger fled across the bridge into Inver Grove Heights after a running gun battle with Dakota County deputies in Newport and St. Paul Park.

Labovitz said the 600-foot western span would be a trail head for the river trail and could include pedestrian walkways, overlooks, interpretive displays and fishing access. The bridge is adjacent to Inver Grove Heights' future Heritage Park.

Railings and other barriers would be installed to lessen danger, he said.

"We could actually invite people out there to get them on the bridge rather than to keep them off," he said. "Wouldn't that be cool?"

Kevin Giles • 651-298-1554