The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation has forced the Ca. Dept. of parks and
Recreation to close this famous landmark on the most famous endurance
ride in the world! The Bureau has known for several years that the bridge
support structure in the Americam River is deteriorating and needs repair
but has chosen to wait until the damage is severe enough that the bridge
"could collapse at any time". The riders and runners who enjoy the use
of this trail have attended 2 meetings presented by te parks dept. with a
minor clerk of the U.S.B.R. in attendance. The endurance community has
banded together to attempt to get this river crossing re-opened.
The Wendell and Inez Robie Foundation has pledge money toward the repair
of the bridge. The Australian Connection has pledged $1000 towards bridge
repair and challenges all businesses who may have aninterest to make a
pledge. All pledges should be sent to the Robie Foundation at
P.O. Box 658
Cool, Ca 95614.
If you want to make a donation send checks to the above address made out
to 'No Hands Bridge".
The money will be deposited in a special trust account set up for the
bridge repairs.
The manager of the Western States 100 Mile Run has pledged to fund an
independant engineering study to determine the safety of the bridge and
estimate cost of repair. The bureau must of course approve all of the
above because it is on their property. They feel that since an Auburn Dam
may built the repair of the bridge would be useless. However the Dam has
not had funds approved since 1974, and if the dam is built it would take
about 10 years to complete.
Look in the Endurance Archive on the Endurance home page at
http://www.endurance.net
for a note from Larry Sudjein regarding who you may write to for your
show of support. He has listed the U.S. representatives in the Northern
Ca. area and other officials.
For more information call:
WESTERN STATES TRAIL FOUNDATION @ 916/823-7282
Ray Santana
UC Davis Medical Center
Network Operations
raymond.santana@ucdmc.ucdavis.edu