State, area officials cut the ribbon on new Missouri River bridge at Glasgow

Monday, October 19, 2009
By SYDNEY STONNER/Staff writer

From left to right Howard County Commissioner Lowell Eaton; MoDOT Assistant District Engineer Kevin James; Glasgow Mayor Fred Foley; state Sen. Bill Stouffer, R-Napton; Naomi Boss, representing Congressman Sam Graves; state Rep. Paul Quinn, D-Monroe City; MoDOT Chief Financial Officer Roberta Broeker; David A. Gach, Highways and Transportation Commission; state Rep. Joe Aull, D-Marshall; Saline County Presiding Commissioner Becky Plattner; and Saline County Commissioner Norvelle "Brownie" Brown cut the ribbon the new Missouri River bridge at Glasgow Friday, Oct. 16.
(Sydney Stonner/Democrat-News)
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Although the new Missouri River bridge in Glasgow has been open to vehicle traffic since the end of September, the new bridge was recognized in a formal celebration hosted by Missouri Department of Transportation Friday, Oct. 16, at Stump Island Park.

Despite the chilly weather, a fair number of area residents attended the event, including a few individuals who were present at the dedication of the old bridge in 1922.

The Glasgow High School marching band offered introductory music, including arrangements of "Jupiter" by Gustav Holst and the fourth movement of Antonin Dvorak's ninth symphony, "From the New World." Members of American Legion Post 211 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2014 opened the ceremony by presenting the flag and leading those present in the pledge of allegiance.

U.S. Sen. Kit Bond, R-Mo., made a special trip to mid-Missouri for the occasion, driving from the Kansas City airport that morning, he said.

Members of American Legion Post 211 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2014 lead those present at the ribbon-cutting ceremony in the pledge of allegiance.
(Sydney Stonner/Democrat-News) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]
"It's a real honor to join you for the ribbon-cutting," he said, "and to have been able to play a small role in the renovation by providing some funds to help with the ferry transportation."

Bond is a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, including the subcommittee on transportation, housing and urban development.

State Sen. Bill Stouffer, R-Napton, was also present at the ribbon-cutting event. He thanked Glasgow area residents for adapting to the bridge work, which took about 14 months to complete, by using the ferry services provided by Calhoun Ferry Company.

"I thought the ferry worked out tremendously well," he said.

According to MoDOT Chief Financial Officer Roberta Broeker, about 3,000 passengers used the ferry each week.

State Rep. Joe Aull, D-Marshall, spoke about the new bridge as part of a larger effort to create safe driving conditions for Missourians and all U.S. citizens.

From left to right Glasgow United Methodist Church Pastor Jim Crooks; David A. Gach, Highways and Transportation Commission; MoDOT Chief Financial Officer Roberta Broeker; state Rep. Joe Aull, D-Marshall; state Sen. Bill Stouffer, R-Napton; Glasgow Mayor Fred Foley; U.S. Sen. Kit Bond, R-Mo.; Howard County Commissioner Lowell Eaton; Saline County Presiding Commissioner Becky Plattner; Naomi Boss, representing Congressman Sam Graves; and state Rep. Paul Quinn, D-Monroe City, cut the ribbon the new Missouri River bridge at Glasgow Friday, Oct. 16.
(Sydney Stonner/Democrat-News)
[Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]
"Since the tragedy we had in Minnesota a few years ago," where many people were injured or killed, Aull said, even he sometimes wonders "Is this really safe?" as he drives across a bridge.

Saline County Northern District Commissioner Norvelle "Brownie" Brown signs the Glasgow bridge poster on display at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. All present were asked to sign it.
(Sydney Stonner/Democrat-News) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]
"It's great to see MoDOT and the people of Missouri stepping up to provide so many nice new bridges," he said.

Saline County Presiding Commissioner Becky Plattner thanked government officials and MoDOT for recognizing the need to bring new infrastructure to Saline County.

"I thank goodness that we've had the decision to build this bridge here and the one in Miami," she said.

After a symbolic ribbon-cutting in the park, dignitaries adjourned to the bridge itself for another ribbon-cutting. Glasgow Mayor Fred Foley did the honors.

Other public figures present at the event included state Rep. Paul Quinn, D-Monroe City; Howard County Commissioner Lowell Eaton; and representatives for Congressman Sam Graves and U.S. Sen.Claire McCaskill, D-Mo.

Contact Sydney Stonner at marshallbusiness@socket.net

Comments

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Because politicians love to blow their own horns!! The only people that matter are them and their careers in politics!

No one standing on that bridge except the mo-dot people, even had anything to do with building that bridge. But hey Toot, Toot, Toot!!

Even Mo-Dot built a new bridge on an old foundation, so much for the bragging!

-- Posted by Gumby on Tue, Oct 20, 2009, at 1:15 AM

Excellent point there, alwayzmovin. Why is it they rarely, if ever, mention to folks that do the actual work?

-- Posted by BlackBird on Mon, Oct 19, 2009, at 8:47 PM

Yep...all you officials stand around and "toot" your horns, while not one word was OR will ever be mentioned about all the hard back-breaking work and long hours the "actual" workers put in, while building the bridge.

-- Posted by alwayzmovin on Mon, Oct 19, 2009, at 5:48 PM