Unsafe at Any Depth: Detillion Bridge Condemned, Emergency Contract Let
A joint inspection finds the Spokane River crossing beyond repair, forcing Stevens and Lincoln counties to rescind a contract and fast-track a replacement.
December 11, 1909 — The boards of county commissioners of Stevens and Lincoln counties met in joint session at a point on the Spokane known as Detillion, to inspect and investigate the condition of the Detillion bridge. The following is a copy of the minutes of the meeting with the Lincoln County commissioners: Present, Sutherland, Bryant, Beggs, commissioners, and Manning, engineer, Stevens County; and Shepherd, Engelson, Mayer, commissioners, and Reed, engineer, Lincoln County.
After a thorough investigation by the joint engineers they adjourned to the House at Davenport, Washington, for consultation.
On motion of Sutherland, Mr. Shepherd was called to preside at the joint meeting.
Moved and carried, that upon the showing of the joint investigation by the boards and engineers that the depth of the water at the Detillion bridge site makes the repair of said Detillion bridge impracticable, that the existing contract, under date of May 12, between the joint boards and C. G. Sheely Contracting Co., the consent of both parties having been given, be rescinded.
Moved and carried, that upon the showing of the joint investigation that said Detillion bridge is unsafe and that to repair the said bridge is impractical, that the same be condemned.
Moved and carried upon the showing of the joint investigation, to declare an emergency and to let a contract for the construction of a bridge upon the former Detillion bridge site to the C. G. Sheely Contracting Co., per contract now on file in the auditor's office.
Moved and carried, to accept proposition of C. G. Sheely Contracting Co. to purchase material and lumber ordered by joint boards for repair of Detillion bridge.
The foregoing is a copy of the minutes of the joint meeting as they will appear upon the commissioners' journal of Lincoln County. — J. Gristlaw, clerk of board.
“That upon the showing of the joint investigation that said Detillion bridge is unsafe and that to repair the said bridge is impractical, that the same be condemned.”
A century later, rural bridges still age out and force hard choices about repair, replacement, and who pays. The Detillion crossing was a lifeline between two counties; when it was condemned, the fix had to be fast-tracked because there was no time for a long bidding process.
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