It’s not that the bridge is opening behind schedule or that ODOT or the contractors did a bad job, but it was the inconvenience of having to go around the city of Defiance instead of straight through on Clinton St. to get to one side or the other for appointments or shopping, etc. that seemed endless during 2019. The Clinton St. bridge, newly named, the Purple Heart Bridge, going across the Maumee River in downtown Defiance is now open for traffic, finally!
The bridge closed in February 2019 for total reconstruction. The construction continued throughout the year despite many forms of severe weather that could have caused all kinds of delays. Concrete was poured in spectacular fashion October 4th and 5th during the late night hours into morning daybreak. It looks as though all the hard work and extra effort has paid off as the bridge’s dedication took place on Monday, December 2nd.
The ceremony opened at 3:00 p.m. with a welcome to all in attendance by Defiance Mayor, Mike McCann. This was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and a opening prayer by Pastor David Brobston. Further remarks were made by McCann, ODOT Director Jack Marchbanks, Ph.D; Defiance County Commissioners and Purple Heart recipient Ryan Mack.
Proclamation Readings were given by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, Ohio Lt. Governor Jon A. Husted, 5th District Congressman Bob Latta, 1st District Congressman Bob Latta, 1st District State Senator Robert A. McColley, and 82nd District State Representative Craig Riedel.
The ribbon cutting took place on the south side of the bridge under a tent near the Defiance Public Library and will officially dedicate the bridge as the Purple Heart Bridge.
The first person to cross the bridge was the Bridge Raffle winner, Paul Gearing; and he was followed by Purple Heart Veterans and all Veterans in attendance at this historic event. Following these fine upstanding people was one of Defiance’s oldest residents, 104 year old Emily White.
Naming the Clinton Street Bridge to the Purple Heart Bridge background:
State Representative Craig S. Riedel recently introduced House Bill 332 that will designate a portion of State Route 66 in Defiance County as the “Purple Heart Trail of Defiance County” and the bridge spanning the Maumee River that is a part of State Route 66, in the City of Defiance, as the “Purple Heart Bridge.”
This bill comes in recognition of the Ohio Department of Transportation’s Clinton Street Bridge Replacement Project that is scheduled to open on December 2, 2019. This special occasion reflects an incredible amount of hard work and will benefit the community for years to come.
The bridge name was chosen through collaboration with the City of Defiance and the Military Order of Purple Heart Fort Defiance Chapter 643. In addition, the trail name was chosen through collaboration between a veteran constituent and the Military Order of Purple Heart Fort Defiance Chapter 643.
The City of Defiance contributed 1 million dollars toward this project along with the 8 million dollars contributed through the State of Ohio. House Bill 332 passed the House Transportation and Public Safety Committee on October 22, 2019 with a vote of 13 to 0. House Bill 332 now heads to the House floor for a vote.
