Commission discusses Green Bridge plaque, trail signage and dual dedication events for relocated historic bridge

Christian County commissioners reviewed design, naming and ceremony options for the new Green Bridge and for a trail installation that will display the county's relocated historic bridge.

Highway Administrator Miranda presented a draft plaque for the new bridge and proposed a smaller, aluminum trail sign for the old bridge placed on the county campus trail. "There's a plaque that goes on the new bridge...we can make it anything we want as long as we have those two bridge numbers on there that identify the bridge," Miranda said, and discussed options for listing names of property owners and project contributors.

Commissioners urged caution about who is listed on permanent markers and suggested staff show draft signs to adjacent property owners and contributors before finalizing content. Miranda said county staff could provide draft wording and that heavy brass/copper plaques would need specialty vendors while simpler trail signs might be produced by the highway department's usual vendors.

Staff recommended two events: a ceremonial drive across the new bridge with limited parking and shuttle coordination with the City of Ozark, and a later trail/old-bridge dedication once the historic span is erected on campus. "We can make that a dedication in January," one commissioner said, noting weather could be a factor; staff said they expect the new bridge to open in mid-December but the old-bridge trail event might happen in December or January.

Commissioners also noted the county has salvaged four historic bridges in five years and emphasized the relocation and signage were voluntary preservation efforts, not mandated by the State Historic Preservation Office.

Staff will return with draft plaque and marker text, proposed dates for the ceremonies, and plans for parking/shuttle logistics and videography to archive the events. Commissioners encouraged inviting family members and the public to participate.