The historic Devil's Elbow bridge on Route 66 is in need of restoration and one local man is working hard to get the needed funds to make that happen.
Jerry Plunkett, a local materials engineer and president of Advanced Military Equipment Inc., attended Thursday's Pulaski County Commission meeting to discuss the restoration efforts of Devil's Elbow bridge, located on historic Route 66. Plunkett said he has spoken with several groups and organizations with the purpose of rehabilitating the bridge.
Plunkett said the full cost of restoration would be somewhere around $3 million.
Plunkett said he's done community assessments and there's no question about the level of support from the local community.
“So far, it's very positive,” Plunkett said. “There's certainly no opposition to it.”
Plunkett said he's contacted filmmakers and spoken to them about producing segments on the bridge for the Discovery Channel, the History Channel or National Geographic. He said any segments produced would be of major importance and give the county some good publicity.
Plunkett said it could also provide influence on decision-makers across the country.
“To make this really work, I want to get the attention of people in Washington and in the state and nationally,” Plunkett said. “We're making, I think, reasonable progress.”
Plunkett said he is working with about 12 different groups on funding and research for the bridge restoration. He said the county could receive assistance from the Innovative Bridge Research and Deployment program, run through the U.S. Department of Transportation.
“I've built probably five bridges under that program,” Plunkett said.
According to the program's Web site, it aims to promote and document the application of innovative designs in the construction, repair and rehabilitation of bridges and other highway structures. Plunkett said a proposal would need to be submitted to the department by the end of July.
Plunkett said all proposals for grants will have to go through the commission, as will any money raised or donated for the bridge restoration.
“The bridge is yours,” Plunkett said. “And I'm here to help you.”
Plunkett said he's also spoken to the National Renewable Energy Research Center, which focuses on advancing renewable energy goals, about wind turbines that could be used to heat the bridge.
“This is going to increase the safety of the bridge,” Plunkett said. “It'll be called a green bridge.”
Presiding Commissioner Don McCulloch said people would like the idea of renewable energy being used for the bridge and it could make it more of an attraction.
Plunkett said he believes the Devil's Elbow bridge is one of the most scenic spots on historic Route 66.
“I think I've touched all the major bases that I need to touch at this time,” Plunkett said. “It's a good bridge and it's worth saving.”
Eastern District Commissioner Bill Farnham said an engineer from the Missouri Department of Transportation would attend Monday's commission meeting to further discuss restoration efforts on Devil's Elbow bridge.
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The historic Devil's Elbow bridge on Route 66 is in need of restoration and one local man is working hard to get the needed funds to make that happen.
Jerry Plunkett, a local materials engineer and president of Advanced Military Equipment Inc., attended Thursday's Pulaski County Commission meeting to discuss the restoration efforts of Devil's Elbow bridge, located on historic Route 66. Plunkett said he has spoken with several groups and organizations with the purpose of rehabilitating the bridge.
Plunkett said the full cost of restoration would be somewhere around $3 million.
Plunkett said he's done community assessments and there's no question about the level of support from the local community.
“So far, it's very positive,” Plunkett said. “There's certainly no opposition to it.”
Plunkett said he's contacted filmmakers and spoken to them about producing segments on the bridge for the Discovery Channel, the History Channel or National Geographic. He said any segments produced would be of major importance and give the county some good publicity.
Plunkett said it could also provide influence on decision-makers across the country.
“To make this really work, I want to get the attention of people in Washington and in the state and nationally,” Plunkett said. “We're making, I think, reasonable progress.”
Plunkett said he is working with about 12 different groups on funding and research for the bridge restoration. He said the county could receive assistance from the Innovative Bridge Research and Deployment program, run through the U.S. Department of Transportation.
“I've built probably five bridges under that program,” Plunkett said.
According to the program's Web site, it aims to promote and document the application of innovative designs in the construction, repair and rehabilitation of bridges and other highway structures. Plunkett said a proposal would need to be submitted to the department by the end of July.
Plunkett said all proposals for grants will have to go through the commission, as will any money raised or donated for the bridge restoration.
“The bridge is yours,” Plunkett said. “And I'm here to help you.”
Plunkett said he's also spoken to the National Renewable Energy Research Center, which focuses on advancing renewable energy goals, about wind turbines that could be used to heat the bridge.
“This is going to increase the safety of the bridge,” Plunkett said. “It'll be called a green bridge.”
Presiding Commissioner Don McCulloch said people would like the idea of renewable energy being used for the bridge and it could make it more of an attraction.
Plunkett said he believes the Devil's Elbow bridge is one of the most scenic spots on historic Route 66.
“I think I've touched all the major bases that I need to touch at this time,” Plunkett said. “It's a good bridge and it's worth saving.”
Eastern District Commissioner Bill Farnham said an engineer from the Missouri Department of Transportation would attend Monday's commission meeting to further discuss restoration efforts on Devil's Elbow bridge.
