Saving an East Haven bridge

EAST HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) -- It was almost torn down but a bridge in East Haven that dates back to the 1600's is going to stay put.

The simple story: a bridge dating back to 1846 has been saved, to the delight of the East Haven Historical Society.

"I think it was quite a boost for the town of East Haven for people to get involved and they are able to change things and work through the government agencies," said Barbara DePuy, East Haven Historical Society.

The story underneath: a span helping to bridge a generation gap. Fifth graders from the Tuttle Elementary School, 10 year olds, are creating a brigade to save the bridge.

"Lessons learned, one that they can make a difference," said teacher Dana Nelson, "that their voices can be heard and that they really have become preservationists."

The state Department of Transportation is planning to tear down the bridge along Route 1 as part of an overall project to improve the Route 100 intersection. Society research revealing that it was first built in 1644, and the crossing over the Farm River was used by soldiers during the Revolutionary War.

The students are holding bake sales and circulating petitions to make their case to preserve the past.

"In my heart of hearts I never expected that their voices would be heard not only in town, not only at the library and the historic society, but that the DOT engineers would come down," Nelson said.

So in essence the body of the old bridge is going to be saved. However, there are some parts along the top that are sub standard and they will have to be replaced with modern materials.

"It's going to be a railing," said Kevin Nursick, DOT. "It will be context sensitive so it's not going to be a funny looking railing. It's going to blend in nice with the age of that structure, but it's not going to be the concrete and stone railing that is there right now that is really less than ideal."

By bridging the generation gap, saving it for the next generation.

"Luckily, today the bridge will be restored and we will still have it to look at probably for another 100 years," said DePuy.