Discovery Bridge
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Yankton Daily Press & Dakotan PAGE 5B Saturday, October 4, 2008 DISCOVERYDedication2008 For So. Yankton, New Bridge Means New Possibilities BY RANDY DOCKENDORF randy.dockendorf@yankton.net SOUTH YANKTON, Neb. As a WNAX broadcaster in Yankton, Judy Stratman reports on construction of the Discovery Bridge on the Missouri River and conversion of the 1924 Meridian Bridge to pedestrian use. But as a South Yankton, Neb., resident, Stratman becomes part of the story. It s been interesting and fun to watch the project come to fruition. It s been the local talk for quite some time, she said. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Where most people live, they haven t seen anything like it, and we will never see it again. The four-lane Discovery Bridge linking South Dakota and Nebraska will provide a welcome change for those who don t like crossing on the top level of the double-decker, single-lane Meridian Bridge, Stratman said. We have people who ask, How do you go over it? But we just take the (Meridian) bridge for granted, she said. The ongoing construction has remained the center of attention for months, Stratman said. That can create problems for drivers who try to catch a glimpse of the new bridge while driving over the Meridian Bridge, she said. It s surprising that more people haven t slammed into the sides (of Meridian s concrete walls), trying to look over them, she said with a laugh. For Stratman and her neighbors, the excitement of the bridge also brings questions about the structure s impact on their everyday lives. Stratman and her husband, Dick, have lived in South Yankton since 1965. They like the intimacy of the community, reflected by the fact she can count the number of residents and businesses. More than 50 people live in South Yankton, including 32 permanent residents and 20 or more renters, she said. The business district includes Featherhill Shop E-Z, F&M Bank, Riverside Auto Body, The Lazy D, Riverside Apartments, South Yankton Auto Repair and Bruno s, she said. With the new bridge, Stratman doesn t expect a huge influx of traffic beyond the 7,000 vehicles that now cross the Meridian Bridge each day. The road itself will carry much of the same traffic, she said. Unlike the bridges at Niobrara and Vermillion, Discovery does not open up a new route across the Missouri River. But it does offer a much better one that assures travelers of structure safety. The four-lane Discovery Bridge will also provide a huge attraction for larger truck and tractor traffic, which could stimulate agricultural business for the Yankton area, Stratman said. The Discovery Bridge s impact will be felt far beyond Yankton, Stratman said. The new bridge will provide an improved link for U.S. Highway 81, also known as the Pan American Highway, running from Canada to Mexico. The Pan American route between Nebraska and South Dakota is critical to the commerce of both states, she said. It s a new stint put in a major artery for the Pan American Highway. Another South Yankton resident, Jeff Dreesen, doesn t think the new bridge will bring dramatic changes to the small community. On the other hand, residents have become accustomed to changes with a national highway in their midst, he said. My parents, Kenny and Rose Dreesen, own the Lazy D (bar), and they think there are going to be some changes, he said. They have lived 55 years within a block of the bar. They have seen a lot of changes with Highway 81. Dreesen sees the Discovery Bridge as an asset for the region. I think it s good for Yankton and for expansion of the economy, he said. But unlike some of his fellow South Yankton residents, he doesn t foresee a huge windfall for current property owners. Some people think the land values will go up in South Yankton with the new bridge, he said. I m more of a skeptic, but I could be wrong. Dreesen said he was glad to see the preservation of the Meridian Bridge and its conversion into a hiking-biking pathway. This is a nice addition to Yankton, but it could be expensive to maintain, he said. The completion of one bridge and conversion of another has captured the attention of the KELLY HERTZ/P&D A view from the south side: Electrical crews work at installing the lights on the spires that line the new Discovery Bridge on Oct. 1, 2008. This is a vantage point as seen from near South Yankton, Neb., which may see some big benefits from the new bridge. Santee Sioux Tribe, which owns South Yankton property including the Featherhill Shop E-Z convenience store. Shop E-Z has Stratman benefited from its location along Highway 81 at the foot of the Meridian Bridge, said tribal attorney Conly Schulte. The Discovery Bridge should benefit not only the tribe but also the rest of South Yankton, he said. Things are going fabulously well, and it will look even better with the new bridge, he said. Hopefully, the increased traffic flow will go through there, and the tribe will feel the economic impact as will the entire community. There will hopefully be more jobs and other opportunities for the kids and other folks in South Yankton. The Santee Sioux are looking at a number of possibilities with the arrival of the Discovery Bridge, Schulte said. While Schulte couldn t comment on specific projects, he said tribal officials are always looking for new ventures. The tribe is looking for ways to compete in the marketplace and maximize the benefits from their property, he said. Schulte confirmed the tribe has no plans for opening a casino in South Yankton. The tribe already operates the Ohiya Casino on Nebraska Highway 12 east of Niobrara, Neb. A grocery has been talked about ever since Shop E-Z was purchased, but I m not sure the tribe has any specific plans to take advantage of the new bridge (with construction of a store), he said. Obviously, there are tax advantages to purchasing products from the tribe in South Yankton. Stratman likewise sees increased economic opportunities with the new bridge. If the traffic increases, I think the business will increase, she said. There are also tax advantages, like no food tax in Nebraska. And if South Dakota increases its tax on fuel, you might see more interest in opening a service station or convenience store on the Nebraska side of the river. While there are no current plans for turning Highway 81 into a four-lane expressway between Norfolk, Neb., and Yankton, Stratman encouraged keeping the idea alive. We need to continue the dialogue about the four-lane high- way from Norfolk to Yankton. The squeaky wheel gets the grease, she said. We need to keep it out there, and you may also see more ideas be aroused. Schulte sees the potential for increased political as well as economic cooperation. That could include everything from law enforcement to emergency medical services to joint economic opportunities, he said. There will be new opportunities for added government-togovernment activities, he said. It will increase the relationship between the tribe and governments on the north side of the river. That s in addition to relationships the tribe already has with the local governments on the Nebraska side of the river. The Discovery Bridge will provide a number of traffic improvements, said project manager Bob Wiebelhaus. This should help with traffic flow, he said. It will handle larger vehicles and truck traffic. There will be better lighting. There will be one less stoplight. It s a straight shot (to Broadway Avenue) rather than going over two blocks. The traffic count at Meridian Bridge has remained steady, said Kris Winter with the Nebraska Department of Roads (NDOR) office in Norfolk, Neb. At this time, Winter sees no prospect for a four-lane expressway for the nearly 60 miles between Norfolk, Neb., and Yankton. The latest traffic volume map shows an average daily volume of 6,900 vehicles, she said. We do not have a projection of future traffic (at the Discovery Bridge). With the upcoming change of seasons, plans are under way for maintaining the Discovery Bridge, Winter said. We will use a salt substitute during the first winter, she said. Concrete continues to cure during the first year after placement, and we try to avoid salt to extend the life of the structure. The salt substitute is just as effective, but more costly. However, that doesn t mean salt won t be used if needed, Winter said. Public safety is of prime importance and, if necessary, we will resort to normal winter treatment regimens using salt if needed, she said. While the immediate focus remains on opening the bridge, other goals include opening a trails system. One proposal calls for trails along Nebraska Highway 121, from near the Lakeview Golf Course of Crofton to Murdo s Aten Resort and on to Highway 81, then north to the Meridian Bridge and south to the Corps of Discovery Welcome Center. The NDOR can play a role in building up the trails system at Discovery Bridge, Winter said. We are cooperating with local agencies in the pursuit of trails via the Transportation Enhancement Program for funding and also permitting issues for trails proposed to be sited on state right-of-way, she said. National Park Service Superintendent Mike Madell of Yankton said the proposed trails system on the Nebraska side of the river will connect well with the Discovery Bridge. It s an opportunity to get people better connected to the river and to provide another access site, he said. We would view it as more of a nature area, not as developed as Riverside Park (in Yankton), but more pristine and pastoral. The conversion of the existing Meridian Bridge into a walking and biking trail will also benefit the area, Madell said. Yankton already has such a great start at developing itself as a region-wide biking system and trail system, he said, noting discussion about putting up interpretive and educational panels on the new trails. Travelers are eagerly anticipating the opening of the Discovery Bridge, said Rhonda Kneifl, director of the Corps of Discovery Welcome Center about two miles south of the bridge. The welcome center stands on the bluffs forming the old Nebraska overlook on the west side of Highway 81. What I envision is opening up Highway 81 to be a better direct route for our tourists, truckers and travelers in general. Right now, people know (Discovery Bridge) is getting finished up and going to a four-lane bridge, she said. As the Pan American Highway becomes more available and accessible, it also becomes more travelerfriendly. The impact will be felt far beyond the bridge itself, Kneifl predicted. Our goal is marketing northeast Nebraska and southeast South Dakota, she said. (The new bridge) helps with the bonding between the two states. It brings South Dakota and Nebraska together. Meridian (Bridge) is very unique and historical, and then the new bridge will add to it. Those who travel Highway 81 and use the bridges at Yankton have shown themselves more likely to stop and check out the region, Kneifl said. We are very fortunate at the SOUTH, Page 6B please COUPON Maximum Value $4.87 Not valid on Seafood Buffet HALF PRICE Regular Buffet Must Present Coupon Buy One... 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Yankton Daily Press & Dakotan PAGE 5B Saturday, October 4, 2008 DISCOVERYDedication2008 For So. Yankton, New Bridge Means New Possibilities BY RANDY DOCKENDORF randy.dockendorf@yankton.net SOUTH YANKTON, Neb. As a WNAX broadcaster in Yankton, Judy Stratman reports on construction of the Discovery Bridge on the Missouri River and conversion of the 1924 Meridian Bridge to pedestrian use. But as a South Yankton, Neb., resident, Stratman becomes part of the story. It s been interesting and fun to watch the project come to fruition. It s been the local talk for quite some time, she said. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Where most people live, they haven t seen anything like it, and we will never see it again. The four-lane Discovery Bridge linking South Dakota and Nebraska will provide a welcome change for those who don t like crossing on the top level of the double-decker, single-lane Meridian Bridge, Stratman said. We have people who ask, How do you go over it? But we just take the (Meridian) bridge for granted, she said. The ongoing construction has remained the center of attention for months, Stratman said. That can create problems for drivers who try to catch a glimpse of the new bridge while driving over the Meridian Bridge, she said. It s surprising that more people haven t slammed into the sides (of Meridian s concrete walls), trying to look over them, she said with a laugh. For Stratman and her neighbors, the excitement of the bridge also brings questions about the structure s impact on their everyday lives. Stratman and her husband, Dick, have lived in South Yankton since 1965. They like the intimacy of the community, reflected by the fact she can count the number of residents and businesses. More than 50 people live in South Yankton, including 32 permanent residents and 20 or more renters, she said. The business district includes Featherhill Shop E-Z, F&M Bank, Riverside Auto Body, The Lazy D, Riverside Apartments, South Yankton Auto Repair and Bruno s, she said. With the new bridge, Stratman doesn t expect a huge influx of traffic beyond the 7,000 vehicles that now cross the Meridian Bridge each day. The road itself will carry much of the same traffic, she said. Unlike the bridges at Niobrara and Vermillion, Discovery does not open up a new route across the Missouri River. But it does offer a much better one that assures travelers of structure safety. The four-lane Discovery Bridge will also provide a huge attraction for larger truck and tractor traffic, which could stimulate agricultural business for the Yankton area, Stratman said. The Discovery Bridge s impact will be felt far beyond Yankton, Stratman said. The new bridge will provide an improved link for U.S. Highway 81, also known as the Pan American Highway, running from Canada to Mexico. The Pan American route between Nebraska and South Dakota is critical to the commerce of both states, she said. It s a new stint put in a major artery for the Pan American Highway. Another South Yankton resident, Jeff Dreesen, doesn t think the new bridge will bring dramatic changes to the small community. On the other hand, residents have become accustomed to changes with a national highway in their midst, he said. My parents, Kenny and Rose Dreesen, own the Lazy D (bar), and they think there are going to be some changes, he said. They have lived 55 years within a block of the bar. They have seen a lot of changes with Highway 81. Dreesen sees the Discovery Bridge as an asset for the region. I think it s good for Yankton and for expansion of the economy, he said. But unlike some of his fellow South Yankton residents, he doesn t foresee a huge windfall for current property owners. Some people think the land values will go up in South Yankton with the new bridge, he said. I m more of a skeptic, but I could be wrong. Dreesen said he was glad to see the preservation of the Meridian Bridge and its conversion into a hiking-biking pathway. This is a nice addition to Yankton, but it could be expensive to maintain, he said. The completion of one bridge and conversion of another has captured the attention of the KELLY HERTZ/P&D A view from the south side: Electrical crews work at installing the lights on the spires that line the new Discovery Bridge on Oct. 1, 2008. This is a vantage point as seen from near South Yankton, Neb., which may see some big benefits from the new bridge. Santee Sioux Tribe, which owns South Yankton property including the Featherhill Shop E-Z convenience store. Shop E-Z has Stratman benefited from its location along Highway 81 at the foot of the Meridian Bridge, said tribal attorney Conly Schulte. The Discovery Bridge should benefit not only the tribe but also the rest of South Yankton, he said. Things are going fabulously well, and it will look even better with the new bridge, he said. Hopefully, the increased traffic flow will go through there, and the tribe will feel the economic impact as will the entire community. There will hopefully be more jobs and other opportunities for the kids and other folks in South Yankton. The Santee Sioux are looking at a number of possibilities with the arrival of the Discovery Bridge, Schulte said. While Schulte couldn t comment on specific projects, he said tribal officials are always looking for new ventures. The tribe is looking for ways to compete in the marketplace and maximize the benefits from their property, he said. Schulte confirmed the tribe has no plans for opening a casino in South Yankton. The tribe already operates the Ohiya Casino on Nebraska Highway 12 east of Niobrara, Neb. A grocery has been talked about ever since Shop E-Z was purchased, but I m not sure the tribe has any specific plans to take advantage of the new bridge (with construction of a store), he said. Obviously, there are tax advantages to purchasing products from the tribe in South Yankton. Stratman likewise sees increased economic opportunities with the new bridge. If the traffic increases, I think the business will increase, she said. There are also tax advantages, like no food tax in Nebraska. And if South Dakota increases its tax on fuel, you might see more interest in opening a service station or convenience store on the Nebraska side of the river. While there are no current plans for turning Highway 81 into a four-lane expressway between Norfolk, Neb., and Yankton, Stratman encouraged keeping the idea alive. We need to continue the dialogue about the four-lane high- way from Norfolk to Yankton. The squeaky wheel gets the grease, she said. We need to keep it out there, and you may also see more ideas be aroused. Schulte sees the potential for increased political as well as economic cooperation. That could include everything from law enforcement to emergency medical services to joint economic opportunities, he said. There will be new opportunities for added government-togovernment activities, he said. It will increase the relationship between the tribe and governments on the north side of the river. That s in addition to relationships the tribe already has with the local governments on the Nebraska side of the river. The Discovery Bridge will provide a number of traffic improvements, said project manager Bob Wiebelhaus. This should help with traffic flow, he said. It will handle larger vehicles and truck traffic. There will be better lighting. There will be one less stoplight. It s a straight shot (to Broadway Avenue) rather than going over two blocks. The traffic count at Meridian Bridge has remained steady, said Kris Winter with the Nebraska Department of Roads (NDOR) office in Norfolk, Neb. At this time, Winter sees no prospect for a four-lane expressway for the nearly 60 miles between Norfolk, Neb., and Yankton. The latest traffic volume map shows an average daily volume of 6,900 vehicles, she said. We do not have a projection of future traffic (at the Discovery Bridge). With the upcoming change of seasons, plans are under way for maintaining the Discovery Bridge, Winter said. We will use a salt substitute during the first winter, she said. Concrete continues to cure during the first year after placement, and we try to avoid salt to extend the life of the structure. The salt substitute is just as effective, but more costly. However, that doesn t mean salt won t be used if needed, Winter said. Public safety is of prime importance and, if necessary, we will resort to normal winter treatment regimens using salt if needed, she said. While the immediate focus remains on opening the bridge, other goals include opening a trails system. One proposal calls for trails along Nebraska Highway 121, from near the Lakeview Golf Course of Crofton to Murdo s Aten Resort and on to Highway 81, then north to the Meridian Bridge and south to the Corps of Discovery Welcome Center. The NDOR can play a role in building up the trails system at Discovery Bridge, Winter said. We are cooperating with local agencies in the pursuit of trails via the Transportation Enhancement Program for funding and also permitting issues for trails proposed to be sited on state right-of-way, she said. National Park Service Superintendent Mike Madell of Yankton said the proposed trails system on the Nebraska side of the river will connect well with the Discovery Bridge. It s an opportunity to get people better connected to the river and to provide another access site, he said. We would view it as more of a nature area, not as developed as Riverside Park (in Yankton), but more pristine and pastoral. The conversion of the existing Meridian Bridge into a walking and biking trail will also benefit the area, Madell said. Yankton already has such a great start at developing itself as a region-wide biking system and trail system, he said, noting discussion about putting up interpretive and educational panels on the new trails. Travelers are eagerly anticipating the opening of the Discovery Bridge, said Rhonda Kneifl, director of the Corps of Discovery Welcome Center about two miles south of the bridge. The welcome center stands on the bluffs forming the old Nebraska overlook on the west side of Highway 81. What I envision is opening up Highway 81 to be a better direct route for our tourists, truckers and travelers in general. Right now, people know (Discovery Bridge) is getting finished up and going to a four-lane bridge, she said. As the Pan American Highway becomes more available and accessible, it also becomes more travelerfriendly. The impact will be felt far beyond the bridge itself, Kneifl predicted. Our goal is marketing northeast Nebraska and southeast South Dakota, she said. (The new bridge) helps with the bonding between the two states. It brings South Dakota and Nebraska together. Meridian (Bridge) is very unique and historical, and then the new bridge will add to it. Those who travel Highway 81 and use the bridges at Yankton have shown themselves more likely to stop and check out the region, Kneifl said. We are very fortunate at the SOUTH, Page 6B please COUPON Maximum Value $4.87 Not valid on Seafood Buffet HALF PRICE Regular Buffet Must Present Coupon Buy One... Get One Expires Oct. 31, 2008 2809 Broadway Ave., Yankton 605-665-9884 Bridging Our Strengths Hartington, Coleridge & Crofton Yankton Garden of Memories Cemetery 402-254-6547 Jim, Jerry, Steve & Paul Wintz 605-665-3644 Discover Why We Have Been Trusted For Generations Visit us at wintzrayfuneralhome.com Home Auto Business Life Long-Term Care 58 years of serving the needs of our community Serving the Yankton Area Since 1949 g e n a e Coverage for all your family s needs! M.T. & R.C. SMITH INSURANCE PH. 665-3611 204 W. 4th Street YANKTON
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