Manhattan-neighboring Nixon Bridge worth preserving for future generations
From the Manhattan Area Historical Society
The Nixon Gulch Bridge was built in 1891 and is one of the few remaining pinned, steel through truss bridges in Montana and the country. Because of its uniqueness and historic value, it is eligible for consideration to be on the National Register of Historic Places. Many groups, including the Historic Preservation Board of Gallatin County, the Montana Historical Society, the Manhattan History Museum, the Gallatin History Museum, the Gallatin Historical Society, the Rotary Club of Manhattan and the Montana Ghost Town Preservation Society as well as petitions of several hundred county residents support preservation of the bridge. This is not a unique proposal as there are similar and much larger bridges in Wolf Point, Fort Benton, Great Falls, and Missoula that have been preserved and used very successfully as pedestrian bridges. They have added to the tourist interest as well as preserving historic bridges.
The Gallatin County Commission chose the Nixon Bridge for replacement, although it was not the most deficient bridge in Gallatin County. It is one of two bridges crossing the Gallatin River that serves about 75 homes in the Gallatin River Ranch. The proposal for a two-lane concrete bridge, without a pedestrian walkway, is $1.4 million dollars. Preserving the bridge would provide this safety feature for pedestrians using the bridge for access as well as other recreational uses. The only option to preserve the bridge was nearly half the cost at $750,000 to rebuild it, but was not chosen. The historic Preservation Board of Gallatin County offered its services to preserve the bridge, but the offer was not considered. The Commissioners did state at that time they would provide $50,000 to anyone removing the bridge. This funding was requested to be used for the future demolition cost to be placed in escrow to save the bridge. This funding is what Commissioner Skinner has referenced, but has declined to allow its use. This was an option the Commissioners could have provided but Skinner now threatens the demolition of the bridge unless preservationists can “Show me the money” as per news reporters quotations. This is a challenge that sounds like money is the only barrier to its preservation if we can take Skinner’s words at face value.
In addition to the present proposal to destroy the bridge is the addition of a concrete foundation in the middle of the Gallatin River and the destruction of much of the recently constructed Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) fishing access. The effect upon the fishing access still requires approval of FWP and may require an Environmental Assessment. The assessment would require the destruction of a historic structure to be considered as part of the approval process.
The Rotary Club of Manhattan has stepped up to become the owner of the bridge, at least for the short term, and funding for the insurance, as required by the Commissioners has been obtained. The future demolition cost, required, but not completely necessary is yet to be obtained. This funding was requested from the demolition cost provided in the $1.4 million, but so far has been denied by the Commissioners.
Preservation of the Nixon Bridge would have many benefits including preserving an important part of history, providing a safe pedestrian walkway and access area, inclusion in a possible future trail system and a showing that Gallatin County values its history. Since, as stated by the Commissioners’ engineering firm, construction will not be done until the winter of 2018 and 2019, leaving time for funding and resolution of any other issues. The supporters of the preservation of the Nixon Bridge remain confident that the hurdles presented by the Commissioners can and will be overcome, and the bridge will be preserved for future generations to appreciate and enjoy. •
