Hello:


I live in Michigan and have an interest in historic bridges, and maintain a large website dedicated to historic bridges at www.historicbridges.org and in addition to covering bridges in a number of states, I have a fair number of bridges from Ontario. My favorite type of historic bridge are metal truss bridges like Ball's Bridge. I unfortunately have driven through Huron County a number of times unaware of this beautiful historic gem on the Maitland River. I hope to visit this bridge this coming winter when I make my annual weekend trip up to Tobermory for a quiet New Years celebration.

I can not understate how important the Ball's Bridge is to Huron County, and all of Ontario's transportation heritage. The Ball's Bridge is a pin connected structure, which is a feature seen on the older metal truss bridges. Pin connected truss bridges are very rare in Ontario, and as such the bridge is significant. Furthermore, the bridge is two-span. Multi-span truss bridges of any kind are uncommon, and a multi-span bridge from this era is extremely rare! So, from a historian's persepective this bridge is a treasure. Historical significance aside, a bridge such as the Ball's Bridge is so beautiful, and speaks of an era when bridge building included an attention to design and detail that is no longer given on the plain modern bridges of today. The lightweight, yet complex truss structure is a beauty to behold, and it adds so much to the surrounding area.

It would be nothing short of a crime to demolish or let collapse, this historic bridge. At the very least, the bridge should be preserved for non-motorized pedestrian traffic. Preserving the bridge for light vehicular traffic would also be excellent, since I know from experiance that driving accross a truss bridge and experiancing the unique "tunnel effect" is something that people deserve to have access to.

Within the next couple weeks, I will be composing letters of support to the addresses mentioned on your website. They need to realize that this bridge is not a burden to them, but should instead be considered an asset, and the pride and joy of the area!

On my website, I have a few bridges from Michigan that were restored, either for pedestrian use or for continued vehicular use, that might serve to inspire:

Gugel Bridge: http://www.historicbridges.org/truss/beyer/index.htm


Sponable Bridg: http://www.historicbridges.org/truss/mckeowen/index.htm


Foster Bridge: http://www.historicbridges.org/truss/maple/index.htm


The Foster Bridge was restored for vehicles at half the cost of replacing it with a modern bridge. The Sponable Bridge was restored for pedestrian traffic, and a park was created around it, creating a unique place for people to visit and enjoy. The Gugel Bridge was similarly restored for pedestrians, although no park was created around it.

I am happy to see your group of concerned citizens fighting for this bridge... The fight is well worth it! I hope you can have success and save this bridge! You have a supporting friend across the Lake here in Michigan! I will be closely watching your website for future developments concerning the bridge. I also am posting a link to a news article on the main page of my website letting my visitors know about Ball's Bridge. My little news flash is available here:

http://www.historicbridges.org/news.htm

Thanks,
-Nathan Holth