New Kate Shelley Bridge

They just had the dedication for the new high bridge. UP Chairman and CEO Jim Young, Iowa DOT director Nancy Richardson and a stand in for the Boone Mayor spoke to a small group in the Boone yard office building. It was to be outside in the parking lot, but rain moved it inside to a conference area that used to house the train dispatchers.

The IDOT director had a signed proclamation from Gov. Culver naming the new bridge as the Kate Shelley bridge. Copies were presented to Mr. Young for the UP, to the Boone County Historical Society and to the Chicago & North Western Historical Society.

After the remarks and presentation, invited guests were taken by train out to the bridge for further ceremonies. Not being invited, I don’t know what went on as far as ribbon cutting there. There were a few reporters in attendence, I know our local paper had someone there. When I see a link, I’ll post it.

Jeff

PS. I remarked to a co-worker that by dedicating the new bridge to Kate Shelley, it’ll make it easier (politcally) to remove the old bridge in the future.

[8D] I had lunch today with Dana Grefe he was one of the invited, We were commenting that with the weather today Kate Shelleys curse was hard at work. With all the problems during its construction and the rotten weather today, It seemed Ms Shelly had the last word Just a thought Larry Long line The Rock Island and CNW forever

So, what gave the Iowa governor the idea that he had the right/power to name UP’s new bridge?

I have no idea why the railroad would think it would need political cover to tear down the old bridge.

Jeff,

Nice post. They should’ve invited you along to go out there as you’re one of the more knowledgeable posters on these forums! Don’t they know better than that?!!!

I was under the impression that UP wanted to keep the old bridge up for MOW traveling purposes but perhaps I’m mistaken here.

Jeff and Larry -

Thanks much for the continuing updates, details, and comments on this. [tup]

  • Paul North.

Here’s a link to an article in today’s (10/02/09) Des Moines Register.

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20091002/BUSINESS/910020352/1029

There was a third picture on the front of the paper’s Metro section that had a picture taken out of the back window from the train going over the bridge. I didn’t look on line much to see if it’s also available.

When I used “political” in my original post, I meant as in resistance from historical groups. I would guess that the Govenor’s proclamation was arranged by the railroad. I doubt he or his office came up with it on their own. After all, the event wasn’t important enough for him to attend. (Even the Boone mayor didn’t show up as was orginally expected [(-D], they sent a stand-in.)

The proclamation/dedication gives more creedence that the new bridge is the Kate Shelley bridge and the old one is just a liability with no historical significance. My[2c]

Jeff