Cobban Bridge in jeopardy, support needed to continue

Cobban Bridge Preservation, Inc. is working to save a portion of the Cobban Bridge, but needs the help of the public to increase the chance of it happening.

Chuck Nagle, president and co-founder of Cobban Bridge Preservation, Inc., says the organization was formed with the sole purpose of trying to save some Chippewa County history. The bridge is slated to be removed in 2022, to make way for a new structure at the present site between Cornell and Cadott.

“It is the last bridge of this type in the state of Wisconsin,” said Nagle. “And it has been used as a backdrop for hundreds, if not thousands, of group photos.”

He says there are a number of conditions the organization must meet, in order for their offer for ownership to be accepted, which has made the challenge larger for the organization and the preservation less likely to occur.

The group detailed their plans in an initial proposal.

“We only want to relocate one span,” said Nagle.

He says the group is willing to remove both spans, as specified by the conditions, but do not plan to preserve both sections. A farmer on the other side of State Hwy. 178 agreed to donate sufficient property to place the span.

“It’ll become a roadside park,” said Nagle.

By turning the area into a park, people would still be able to view the structure and take photos with it.

“The farmers moved this bridge into position in 1917, in the wintertime, using timbers out on the ice to support it and a horse over on the opposite side of the river,” said Nagle.

Nagle says the group intended to move the bridge in a similar way, during the winter, with supporting structures and a tow truck.

The group’s initial proposal for the bridge was declined and Nagle says they have suspended efforts to preserve the portion of the bridge, unless a sate representative agrees to assist in negotiations.

Nagle says it would help if members of the public would contact their Chippewa County representative and express their support for preserving a portion of the Cobban Bridge, as well as contact the offices of Kathy Bernier and Rob Summerfield, to encourage their involvement in the project.

“It’s not going to happen, unless we get the legislators to help us,” said Nagle. “That would help the project.”