Letter to the Editor: Parkersburg trucking company should pay for entire cost of new bridge

Remains of the collapsed Pioneer Square pergola, Seattle, January 15, 2001 (Submitted photo courtesy of Alan Stein and historylink.org)

(Casey McBride of Decorah e-mailed the following Letter to the Editor):

"In 2001 Seattle's 1909 Iron and glass pergola was struck by a turning semi-trailer and most of it was knocked down.  The trucking company made good and restored the pergola to original condition to the tune of $3.5 million.

While the Dahly Bridge is not as artistic nor is it viewed and enjoyed by as many people as the Seattle Pergola, it is listed on the National Register and it certainly deserves more than the insurance amount for a three-ton load limit bridge built in 1874. 

This was not an accident; the driver knowingly drove across a bridge that was posted at a rate well below the weight of his truck and trailer.  I believe the trucking company should do better than the minimal amount the insurance company will pay."