Galena bridge reopens to traffic

A few days ago, Melba Rigg at 4 Women on the Route in Galena, Kan., passed along good news — the historic Front Street Bridge that was closed to traffic for repairs has reopened.

The bridge, which actually is a 216-foot-long railroad viaduct, was built in the early 1920s, and incorporated as Route 66 when the road was first certified in 1926.

In 2007, it was discovered the bridge needed repairs, and its load limit was lowered from 20 tons to 10 tons. The lighter load limit wasn’t a big deal for regular vehicles, but it did prevent tour buses on Route 66 from using the bridge. Because 4 Women on the Route is near the west end of the bridge, it undoubtedly lost some tour business.

After receiving a grant from the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program, the bridge was closed for repairs.

Rigg said after the first phase of the repairs was finished, the officials reopened the bridge to traffic. Phase 2 and 3, she said, are mostly cosmetic, and work on that won’t begin until next year if money is available.

(Photo courtesy of Ace Jackalope of TheLope.com.)

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