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,historicpreservation commission of south bend and st. joseph county ROOM 1123 COUNTY CITY BUILDING south bend, indiana 46601 (219 284-9798) November 8, 1985 Contact Karen Klemnec at the Historic Preservation Commission of South Bend & St. Joseph County, 284-9798 For immediate release DARDEN BRIDGE ENGINEERING STUDY The Historic Preservation Commission of South Bend & St. Joseph County has received a Preservation Services Fund Grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation to partially fund an engineering study for the Darden Bridge. The study, which will begin Tuesday, November 12, will be done by A.G. Lichtenstein & Associates, Inc., a New Jersey firm specializing in the study and restoration of historic bridges. As a result of the study, the firm will suggest alternative solutions to save the bridge and the cost for each solution. •This year marks the one hundredth anniversary of the erection of the historic bridge. Designed by the Chicago Bridge and Iron Company, the bridge was originally located at what is currently LaSalle Street in downtown South Bend. In 1906, it was moved to its present location when a concrete melan arch bridge was built at LaSalle. Because of its historical and engineering significance as the only remaining through truss iron bridge in St. Joseph County, the bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in March of this year. Over the past few months, the Historic Preservation Commission has met with County officials and various groups interested in using the bridge such as joggers and bicyclers. The suggestion has been to reopen the bridge for peldestrian and bicycle use as well as light emergency vehicles. It could also serve in that capacity as a vital and safe transriver link for residents of the area, a convenient route to Clay and St. Patrick Park, and a picnic area. Possible funding sources for such a project have been identified but cannot be pursued until exact restoration costs are known. In August, Mr. Lichtenstein, the head of the engineering firm visited South Bend and did a preliminary investigation of the bridge. He felt that the basic truss structure is sound but that items such as the deck and approaches would need repairs. The firm's work which begins on Tuesday will determine the extent and cost of such repairs at which time they will compile and submit a final report to the County.