Shakes Island footbridge latest renovation effort

A “bridge” can be both a noun and a verb – and at Wrangell’s Chief Shakes Island it is both a literal and figurative example of what a bridge can be.

The footbridge connecting Shakes Island to Wrangell Island is currently undergoing a facelift, with new handrails and planks being installed by the same crew that renovated the Tribal House during the past year.

It’s the bridge’s connection between landmasses – and the action of bridging the past with the present – that Wrangell Cooperative Association board vice president Ernie Christian says is so important to projects of this nature.

“It’s great that we are reconstructing the bridge, as it will connect with the past, present and the future of the island,” Christian said. “The bridge was last rebuilt about 30 years ago, so it’s important to have it ready for rededication and we want the bridge to be safe and usable, especially during the May 3-4 event.”

The reconstruction of the bridge includes new railing, planks, and at least two of the pilings that are underwater at high tide near the grid.

WCA Tribal Transportation project manager Bill Willard helped acquire funding for the rebuild and is overseeing the rebuild.

“The funding is coming from our travel and transportation program through the Bureau of Indian Affairs,” Willard said. “It’s part of the roads inventory we have and includes the same money that we used for the Etolin Street project.”

Willard added that the May rededication helped move up the schedule for work – but that safety was the main reason for the rebuild.

“It’s very important to have it ready for rededication, but our number one priority was the safety of the bridge,” he added. “We looked at that carefully and that expedited the process because of the upcoming dedication. With all the people that will be using it, we wanted it safe.”

Work is expected to complete this week and utilized the labor of Richard Rinehart and his Shakes Tribal House renovation crew.