History group backs saving Shober Bridge

The Shober bridge spans the double railroad tracks. Photo by Jon C. lakey, Salisbury Post.

The local support for the Shober Bridge includes the posting of signs in the several yards in Salisbury. Photo By Jon C. Lakey, Salisbury Post.

The Shober bridge spans the double railroad tracks. Photo by Jon C. lakey, Salisbury Post.

By Shelley Smithssmith@salisburypost.com

The Historic Salisbury Foundation has requested to be on a future Salisbury City Council agenda to give a presentation on the historic Shober Bridge.

Jack Thomson, director of the Historic Salisbury Foundation, made the request in person during a public comment period at Thursday's council meeting.

Thomson said council members received three options for the bridge, but rehabilitation was discouraged because railroad officials want a new bridge. "To do anything other than rehabilitation will be contrary to the city's four decades of commitment to historic preservation and contrary to specific goals in the city's adopted 2020 plan," Thomson said.

"As has been documented by a well respected structural engineer with specific experience in rehabilitation, this bridge, nationally recognized and listed in the National Register of Historic Places, can be made safe for the vehicular traffic needs of the city of Salisbury through rehabilitation while continuing to contribute to the Ellis Street Historic District as a historic resource."

Thomson said the foundation understood that providing a bridge for emergency vehicles was a goal for the city, and assured council members that it could be done with proper rehabilitation.

Thomson stressed the importance of keeping the Ellis Street Historic District as historic as possible. He said construction of a new bridge would have an "adverse effect on a unique enclave of 19th century buildings, a local and National Register district, and, ultimately on the heart of this nationally recognized historic city."

Thomson asked to be added to a future agenda before any decision was made "to provide additional information to the entire council in support of rehabilitation and to give Salisbury's historic neighborhoods an opportunity to speak," he said.

"While city council has been presented with several options, the only option consistent with Salisbury's strong preservation movement and supportive of traditional neighborhood protection is that of the rehabilitation of Shober Bridge," Thomson said.

In a letter to the editor published Thursday in the Post, Thomson said the historic foundation "strongly endorses and supports the proper rehabilitation of the historic Shober Bridge."

"We are eager and ready to work together with all interested parties to produce a project that protects and preserves a vital downtown neighborhood and rehabilitates a Salisbury landmark as a safe structure to serve the people of Salisbury," his letter read.

No action was taken by the council.

Thomson said signs were going up in yards across Salisbury, showing support of the rehab efforts. The sign reads, "Rehab Historic Shober Bridge. This landmark is worth saving!"

For more information on the history of the bridge, visit www.shoberbridge. com.