Trail Bridge Site Uncertain??

Post date: Jul 22, 2013 12:3:14 AM

Central might review walking bridge site

By HARRY G. PERKINS Hub Regional Correspondent | Posted: Saturday, July 20, 2013 5:30 am http://kearneyhub.com

JOHNSON LAKE — The board of directors of Johnson Lake Development Inc. approved a resolution Tuesday asking Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District to reconsider plans for the location of a steel bridge across the Johnson Lake outlet canal. The resolution was presented by Bruce Smith, a lake resident and sailor, and was approved on a vote of 15-3. The three negative votes came from members of the hike and bike committee who are members of the board. The JLDI board represents most of the neighborhood areas around the lake.

The 101-foot bridge is being donated by Eilers Machine and Welding of Lexington to honor the firm’s founder, the late Brian Eilers. Discussion and approval of the resolution came despite an opening statement by Smith that he was told earlier Tuesday that Central’s decision about the location of the bridge had been settled. JLDI President Joann Wieland said the resolution will be forwarded to Central’s directors.

The resolution did not ask Central to change the location, but does request that all options for canal crossing be studied with a comparison of costs, risks and benefits. It urges Central to make its final decision openly with input from a variety of lake residents and based on the best interests of the greatest number of Johnson Lake residents and users. Smith said the location of the bridge will prohibit the use of the full canal and the deep-water ramp at

the Captains Quarters for launching and loading larger-size sailboats. The bridge would be located nearly midway down the canal between a group of sailboat slips and a line of covered boat stalls. It would be about 18 feet above the canal’s waters when the lake is at its normal

level. Smith said the existing slips are too close to the proposed bridge location to safely use.

“The cost of it is fantastic,” said Smith. He said Ron Fowler, a member of the hike and bike committee, has previously said the cost is estimated at $400,000, not including the cost of cranes needed to set the bridge where it is has been planned. “If Central makes other accommodations for the sailors, there will probably be a cost of another $200,000,” Smith said. Smith suggested the bridge be located alongside the existing road bridge over the canal. He noted that an engineering study done years ago at Central’s request had placed the bridge alongside the road bridge. He also pointed out that the bridge alongside the road bridge would provide nearly direct access to the Roper Trail that runs through the state park.

Smith, a retired attorney, suggested that Central needed to consider issues such as the cost of maintenance, the liabilities and the risks as well as the benefits. One concern he addressed was the temptation for young people to use the bridge to dive into the canal. Chuck Olsen, campaign chairman of the hike and bike project, said, “I am not in favor of this resolution,” and defended his committee’s work. He said the bridge project could not be made public because there were negotiations taking place on legalities, acceptance of the Eilers gift by Central, and other issues that needed to be dealt with.

“You cannot make an announcement about a gift when it’s not yet a gift,” Olsen said.

Also discussed briefly was the fire June 21 on Kirby Point and the need for water to fight fires. Firefighters will be asked to attend next month’s meeting and discuss what they need.