HITCHINS — A pair of bridges originally built to allow trains to cross the Little Sandy River as part of the old E.K. Railroad will be preserved as highway officials replace the aged steel spans along Rt. 773.

The narrow bridges have required motorists to take turns crossing the Little Sandy River for many years, although a set of replacement bridges slated for construction in 2011 will allow travel in both directions at the same time. Local historians, as well as a group dedicated to preserving the history of the old Eastern Kentucky Railway, say the 100-year-old bridges are an important part of Carter County�s development and heritage.

Most agree the use of the old bridges would be limited, but feel the structures should be retained for future generations.

�We need them to remind us of what the past was like,� said local historian and railroad enthusiast Tom Gemeinhart of Grayson. Gemeinhart said he can�t imagine any practical purpose for the old bridges, although he has no doubt the structures should be preserved as part of Carter County�s past.

Gemeinhart said there is at least one inaccurate legend attached to one of the two bridges, which are located on the north and south sides of the city of Grayson.

�There is a story about a lynching,� Gemeinhart said, quickly explaining the lynching actually happened in the Willard community at the old Porter bridge. For years, he noted, a notch was cut into one of that bridge�s crossties to mark the spot where the noose had been placed.

Walt �Corky� Clevenger, a member of the Eastern Kentucky Railway Historical Society, said the community value of the 1873 bridges would be �just historical.� The bridges originally utilized an upright construction technique with crossties and steel beams, he said, and may have featured small wooden walking bridges along one side to accommodate foot traffic.

Clevenger said the railway historical society once tried to purchase a similar railroad bridge and property south of Hitchins in the Gollihue Hollow area, but could not afford the asking price. That bridge continues to deteriorate, he noted. While the old railroad bridges contain a considerable amount of recyclable materials, Clevenger said the cost to disassemble the structures would be more than the value of the scrap metal recovered.

Clevenger also agreed the old railroad bridges aren�t likely to serve any particular function for the community other than preserving the past.

�They would be just for sight seeing. There wouldn�t be any future use for them,� he said.

Clevenger said he is certain there is community support for the preservation of the old railroad bridges, although there isn�t enough funding available to pay for liability insurance on the structures.

Carter County Judge-Executive Charles Wallace has publicly stated his support for preservation of the railroad bridges.

�I have recommended to the state that we leave those bridges in place,� Wallace said Monday afternoon. Future road improvements along the route are expected to include widening of a curve and installation of new bridges that would be large enough to allow for construction of a walking path and/or bicycle trail.

Wallace said such improvements along what is often called �the old Blue Goose line� from Webbville to Greenup would allow recreational use of the property in addition to preserving Carter County history, the county judge said, emphasizing the project is now �in the early, early planning stage.�

TIM PRESTON can be reached at tpreston@dailyindependent.com or at (606) 326-2651.