Beyond what's salvaged from the 1886 bridge, wood will be provided through a joint effort of private industry and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Division of Forestry.

Press Release

MOSCOW, Indiana (August 8, 2008) – Governor Mitch Daniels today announced that the Moscow Covered Bridge, destroyed by a tornado on June 3, will be rebuilt on its original site. The governor has organized a coalition of organizations and individuals who will raise private funds for the restoration, donate materials, build the bridge, and volunteer their skills and time.

"Anywhere near Moscow, folks were naturally heartbroken about the loss of the bridge. But I was also struck at how much it affected people in distant parts of the state. So I resolved to find some way to recover this part of our Indiana heritage," said Daniels.

Plans began to take shape shortly after the tornado struck Moscow. Daniels has led an effort to gather state and local officials, craftsmen, historical experts, non-profit organizations, associations and businesses to create a coalition to rebuild the bridge, which had stood for 122 years, and served cars, horses and buggies, school buses and farm equipment.

"As much as we all care about the bridge, it would never make the cut for spending Hoosier tax dollars. So the best way to do this, in the true Hoosier way, is in barn-raising fashion. Everyone we asked to help jumped at the chance," said the governor.

Up to $400,000 may be needed to pay for the cost of rebuilding the bridge. Much more would have been required under ordinary circumstances, but much of the material, equipment, and assistance to restore the bridge will be donated.

The funds will be raised privately by two groups. CSO Architects of Indianapolis, a firm owned by Jim Schellinger, Dan Moriarity, Alan Tucker, and John Rigsbee will lead an effort to raise two-thirds of the funds for the project. Schellinger has asked Rigsbee, a Rush County native, to direct the appeal.

"Jim Schellinger was one of the people I talked to early on about helping. He was excited and indicated that CSO Architects welcomes the opportunity to lead the private fundraising efforts to reconstruct such an important piece of Hoosier history," said Daniels.

The remaining one-third of funds will be raised by area citizens. A Rush County committee will be created and will include elected leaders and other area residents; a fundraising account has already been established in the name of the Moscow Covered Bridge Reconstruction Fund at Main Source Bank in Rushville. County Commissioners Tom Barnes, Marvin Cole and Ken Masters have been involved in working with Moscow residents, historical preservation officials and others to determine how best to move ahead with plans to rebuild the bridge.

The new bridge will incorporate as much of the wood salvaged from the original bridge as possible. Soon after the bridge collapsed, the state Department of Natural Resources acted quickly to begin clean up. Twenty Department of Correction inmates from the Pendleton and New Castle facilities were sent to the site to help clean up and salvage materials, and they will return during the rebuild to help again.

Dan Collom, who owns Square and Level Construction, in Parke County, will be the bridge builder. He is well known for his covered bridge restorations, and recently rebuilt the Bridgeton Covered Bridge in Parke County, which was destroyed by arson several years ago. He also built a new covered bridge at the Indiana State Fairgrounds that was dedicated during opening ceremonies at the fair this week.

"I drove by the covered bridge in Bridgeton regularly, and I know how the people in Moscow feel. I know this can be done, and it’s my obligation being an Indiana resident to do what I can," said Collom.

Beyond that salvaged from the 1886 bridge, wood will be provided through a joint effort of private industry and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Division of Forestry. The DNR estimates that donated timber from 100 or more trees will be harvested from the state’s forest system. The DNR also contributed 126 poplar trees for the Bridgeton Covered Bridge.

Ray Moistner, executive director of the Indiana Hardwood Lumbermen’s Association, said his organization will supplement needed timber and assist with equipment, such as portable sawmills. “The hardwood industry has a long history of giving, and we just think it’s an obligation to help with this,” he said.

Members of the Indiana-Kentucky Regional Council of Carpenters have agreed to volunteer their time to help Collom and his staff with the project. The Indiana Department of Transportation has inspected the approaches, abutments and foundation of the current road and will provide crane service, if needed. Engineers and historical consultants will provide their expertise at no or low cost.

The project is expected to take nine months to a year to finish once timbers are collected later in the fall, but completion also will depend on weather conditions.

Source: Office of the Governor