Crawfordville, Florida – On March 26, 2011, Wakulla County will host a ceremony to dedicate the new Wakulla River “Lower Bridge”  as the Gretchen Evans Memorial Bridge.

It was determined by the Department of Transportation that the old Wakulla River Bridge was in need of replacement due to safety issues.  The old bridge crossing the peaceful Wakulla River on Highway 98 was built back in 1956 and only held a life expectancy of 50 years.

Construction of the new bridge began in August 2009 and was successfully completed by Anderson Columbia Co., Inc. in November 2010.  Several other key partners made this project a success, including the Department of Transportation and RS&H, Inc. (CEI) as the inspection engineers.  The new bridge provides an increased length of 100’, additional 10’ shoulders and a 6’ sidewalk.  This project was funded in the amount of $4.4 million from both state and federal funds.

In addition to the newly built bridge, the State of Florida in collaboration with the 2010 State Legislator and Wakulla County dedicates the new bridge in honor of Gretchen Evans.  Gretchen made many contributions to Wakulla County and highly valued its natural resources until her death in 2005.  Gretchen was the first to document the existence of manatees in the Wakulla River and founded T~n~T Hideaway in 1976, which is currently being operated by her grandson.  “Dedicating this bridge as the Gretchen Evans Memorial Bridge is a fitting tribute to Gretchen’s life and her many contributions to our beautiful County,” commented Commissioner Artz.

Please join us on Saturday, March 26, 2011 at 11:00a.m. at the Wakulla River Bridge on Highway 98 (6527 Coastal Hwy.), to dedicate the new Wakulla River Bridge as the Gretchen Evans Memorial Bridge.  For additional information related to this story, please contact Jessica Welch, Policy & Public Information Coordinator at (850) 926-0919, ext. 407.

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