Charity Ride to Save the Schell Bridge

SAVE THE DATE!

Saturday, May 3, 2008

Ride for the Schell!
Save May 3, and spread the word to Ride for the Schell and benefit the efforts to restore it for hiking and biking.

On May 3, 2008, Friends of Schell Bridge will sponsor three bike rides in Northfield, starting at 9:00 in the morning. REGISTRATION BEGINS AT 8:30 AT THE GREEN TREES PARKING LOT! ALL RIDES WILL BEGIN AT THIS LOCATION TOO.

A 17-mile loop will begin at the boat ramp (with its view of Schell Bridge) on the east side of the river, proceed through the village, cross the river on the route 10 bridge and wind through the hills and back roads of west Northfield (venturing briefly into Vermont). This route returns across the route 10 bridge and ends with post-ride festivities at Green Trees Gallery on Main Street. See the route map on the right-hand panel. This 17-mile ride will be led by experienced bikers and will be family oriented.
A 3-mile loop will cater to those family members preferring a gentler ride.
For the serious biking enthusiast a 35-mile loop on both sides of the river in the tri-state area, begins and ends in Northfield.
The entrance fee is $20 ($25 for families, kids under 12 free), and participants will be required to wear helmets and sign a liability waiver. Register at either of these locations: Bike Reg http://www.bikereg.com/events/register.asp?eventid=5833 , or at Green Trees Gallery at 105 Main Street, Northfield---on the morning of the event. [Same day registration fees are: $25 for singles, $30 for families] It should be a fun time, so please mark your calendar and come on out!

Several representatives of the Massachusetts Bicycle-Pedestrian Advisory Board will be present that day and will be joining us on the ride.
All rides start at Green Trees Gallery/Offices of Friends of Schell Bridge 105 Main Street, Northfield, MA. Then we will ride --as a group-- to the State boat launching ramp to view the bridge--and then get underway from there. Plenty of free parking and bathrooms are at Friends of Schell offices.

The Schell Bridge was named one of the Ten Most Endangered Historic Resources in 2003.
The Schell Memorial Bridge is a 515--foot long steel cantilever truss bridge donated in 1902 to the town of Northfield by one of its leading citizens, Francis R. Schell, who hoped to obtain easy access from his chateau in downtown Northfield to the East Northfield Railroad Station.

Schell Bridge is the third oldest of five Pennsylvania Truss Bridges and was designed by Edward S. Shaw, an important bridge engineer in Massachusetts from 1873 to 1919. Up until its closing in 1985, the Schell Bridge provided the town with easy transportation between the two sides of the village, which is divided by the Connecticut River.

Lack of funding for maintenance and rehabilitation are ongoing threats to the Schell Bridge. The town never had sufficient funding to maintain the bridge and by 1985, it was too far deteriorated from a structural strength point of view and was closed.

MassHwy devised a plan to repair the bridge, but the town could not justify the costs of assuming responsibility for maintaining the rehabilitated structure. In 1992, with no group willing to take on the responsibility of the bridge, the decision was made to tear it down. Demolition bids were made and contracts awarded in 1999, but the bridge was never torn down.

There’s a funny cycle that occurs in the history of the building,” observed Kent Barwick, former chairman of New York’s Landmarks Preservation Commission. “It is very much appreciated when it is put up, then it sort of disappears into the city when other buildings become more no ticeable or celebrated.

And just a little while before it is rediscovered, it is thought to be absolutely worthless.
That’s the dangerous moment for a building. . .” [or a bridge---web master]

A bit of the bridge by Tony Jewell
A restored bridge would have a number of positive effects for the region. If reopened to pedestrian and bicycle traffic, the Schell would serve to reunite the two sections of town separated by the Connecticut. Northfield has the distinction of being the only Valley community split in two by the river -- but this has a somewhat isolating effect, especially for the western side of town.

Residents of quiet West Northfield would be spared any vehicular traffic inconveniences, but still enjoy the benefit of a car-free shortcut to downtown and Main Street. And a plan could be put in place to make the bridge safe for emergency vehicles only -- an important public safety improvement.

As one of the few quiet bridges over the Connecticut -- free from the traffic and noise of major bridges such as the Route 10 bridge in Northfield -- it could be a surprisingly popular destination for tourists and locals in search of a scenic river view. Shops on both sides of town could see more walk-in business from curious visitors.

Cyclists and hikers from up and down the River might find that the Schell opens up new recreational routes in the Valley, Vermont and New Hampshire.

As one of Massachusetts' Ten Most Endangered Historic Sites, an excellent case can be made from a preservationists' standpoint -- there aren't that many bridges left like the Schell, and even fewer with such a strong link to our past. It is a cherished rarity today, and will be infinitely more so for future generations. Restoring the bridge would be great news for river enthusiasts, history buffs, local businesses, hikers and bikers, the town of Northfield, and the region.

As the 2005 Smith College--Picker Engineering Program report on the condition of the bridge says, a restoration is possible. It would be unfair to put the burden of restoration and upkeep on local taxpayers, but Friends of Schell Bridge knows that similar projects are underway in many places around the U.S. and grant money, from Federal, State and private sources, can be found to restore the bridge.

How did all this get started?

In mid 2003, Tony Jewell of Shelburne Falls submitted the Schell Bridge to PreservatiON Mass, for inclusion on the state's most endangered list. After careful consideration, it was included on the high profile list and shortly thereafter, Friends of Schell Bridge, Inc. was formed to be the entity advocating for its restoration.

FRIENDS OF SCHELL BRIDGE, INC.
P.O. BOX 27
NORTHFIELD, MA 01360
info@SchellBridge.org