The Tri-State Corridor Alliance message–that the Missouri River Bridge at Rulo should be replaced and a transportation corridor developed linking the three-state area with I-29 will soon be on its way to Washington, D.C.

Mayor Rod Vandeberg, in his report to the City Council Monday night, said he and a contingent of four others from Falls City, including EDGE Executive Director Chuck Whitney, as well as two Alliance members from Missouri and one from Kansas, will leave for Washington March 4 to “tell our story.”  During a two-day stay, the group will attend Wednesday’s “Nebraska Breakfast” and then meet the Nebraska Senators Chuck Hagel and Ben Nelson, Rep. Jeff Fortenberry, Missouri Senator Kit Bond and Missouri Rep. Sam Graves.

Today, Mayor Vandeberg, Beth Sickel, Charlie Radatz and Monsignor Robert Roh will represent the Alliance in a meeting with Rep. Fortenberry in Lincoln, again to discuss the bridge and corridor initiatives.  Both in Lincoln today and in Washington next week, the Alliance representatives will present documentation of the high concern and interest in the corridor concept that includes replacing the antiquated bridge.  A grassroots campaign, called for by Stephenson Hotel owner Mitch Glaeser, generated more than 1,500 letters in support of the effort.  Hundreds of Nebraska, Missouri and Kansas residents attended a media event at Camp Rulo in December.  At that meeting, the safety concerns regarding the bridge were stressed, as well as the economic impact that a new bridge and corridor would have on the three-state area.

The message is that the “Rulo Bridge” represents, essentially, a tragedy waiting to happen.  Because it is so narrow and was built for the cars, trucks and farm machinery of yesteryear, it is inadequate to accommodate the traffic of today.  In addition, the bridge has a below average safety rating.

Source:  Falls City Journal, February 19, 2008

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