The tragic bridge collapse in Minnesota is a terrible reminder to us all how fragile life can be. At the same time, it is a clarion call to be vigilant over the infrastructure needs of our country. A quick survey of area bridges revealed no immediate problem bridge structures in Worcester County. This, of course, includes the two bridges spanning the Pocomoke River here in Pocomoke City.
There were several bridges in Somerset and Wicomico Counties which did not fair as well on the survey. Pocomoke City has known the failure of bridge infrastructure first hand when our famous draw bridge collapsed without warning in the dark of night in 1988. Fortunately there was no injuries or loss of life. Mayor Curt Lippoldt was at the helm and I remember being assigned by the late Sheriff McAllister to a security detail for Governor Schaeffer as he toured the site.
That day there was a friendship forged between a mayor and a governor that would last for many more years to come. At a time of budget cuts and state money problems, the idea that our draw bridge would be reconstructed was not a given. In fact, there was talk that the bridge was not needed anymore. Well, thankfully, Mayor Lippoldt made sure that that the governor followed through on the promise he made on the morning he surveyed the collapsed piece of history: “You will have a new bridge”. It also prompted significant changes in the manner which Maryland would approach bridge inspections in the future.
The governor was true to his word and some time later, work began on the draw bridge that would continue to be an icon for this eastern shore town. Those of us who were here at the time recall the printed T-shirts, “Pocomoke Bridge is falling down, falling down, falling down…” and
the anticipation that built until the day they began new construction.
Communities are made and lost to these types of events. Next time you crossover the draw bridge, try and think what our city would be like without its picture perfect presence. Fortunately for Maryland, the Pocomoke Draw Bridge was the last bridge failure the state has experienced.
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3 comments:
Its funny that you remember the Bridge falling in that night, That night in 1988 will always stay with me. At the time I was working as a Pocomoke City Police Officer.
I was parked at Henslers on the corner, early in the morning doing paperwork when a man pulled up to me and said, Did you know the Bridge had fallen in? I responded by right Im sure it did, the man said Im serious. By the tone in his voice it seemed possible. I responded to the scene, and there it was laying with water running over the concrete on the down side. I remember blocking off the one side with my vehicle and sending another unit to the Someret side until SHA arrived. The biggest factor no one was injured was because of the time of which it fell, it could have been much more traggic. The Bridge has served us well and that night it actually saved us.
Larry,
I certainly remember when you patrolled these streets. Thanks for the memories!
Larry,
Thanks for the memories. I certainly remember when you patrolled the streets. You were always there for those who needed you!
Thanks for your service to this community.
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