Hanson Bridge up for adoption

Back in December of 2022, Eddy County commissioners carried a motion to demolish the historic Hanson Bridge, which has connected New Rockford to the northern bank of the James River since 1904.

However, more than two years later the picturesque bridge still stands, and now there's an opportunity for someone to save the historic structure via adoption.

The bridge – which connects 6th Street North to River Drive – has been closed to both vehicle and pedestrian traffic for decades due to its poor condition, and it has continued to deteriorate without regular maintenance.

When the bridge was last inspected in 2019, the deck and substructure were rated in poor condition, while the superstructure was rated in serious condition.

But that hasn't stopped everyone from ignoring the signs and occasionally crossing the bridge, and a little over two years ago commissioners expressed a desire to take care of the bridge before it collapses, recognizing it as a safety hazard.

When commissioners carried that motion in 2022 to have the bridge removed, they weren't aware of its place on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). The NRHP is part of the National Park Service, and is the official list of the nation's historic places deemed "worthy of preservation."

The bridge's origin dates back to a bid placed by county commissioners in June of 1904, which asked for a "steel bridge across James River at New Rockford."

Eddy County commissioners at the time accepted a bid of $4,396 from the Fargo Bridge & Iron Company.

Built more than 120 years ago, it is currently one of four structures in Eddy County listed on the NRHP, having been entered into the register as "New Rockford Bridge," on March 13, 1997.

And because of its place on the NRHP, the bridge must be made available for adoption before any effort to remove it takes place.

"Eddy County and the [North Dakota Department of Transportation] is announcing that the bridge is currently available for adoption during a 30-day advertisement period ending February 14, 2025," states a public notice published in this week's edition of the Transcript.

"The bridge is available to any responsible entity that is willing to take ownership of, relocate, and maintain the bridge at its new location."

The notice further states that the adopting party would assume all future legal and financial responsibility associated with the bridge, which is a single-span, bolted Warren truss bridge that measures 169.9 feet long (with a max span length of 97.1 feet) and 17.7 feet wide.

Daren Peterka of Interstate Engineering told the Transcript on Tuesday that adopting the bridge itself would not cost anything. However, the adopting party would be responsible for having the bridge relocated to their property and the associated costs.

The Hanson Bridge has been a unique feature of New Rockford for well over a century, and although its time at 6th Street North in New Rockford is nearing an end, there's still an opportunity for an interested party to adopt it.

Those interested in doing so should respond by Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 to Daren Peterka of Interstate Engineering - Project Manager, by calling (701) 252-0234 or by emailing [email protected].