Frisco Highline trail bridge fire intentionally set

According to a Springfield News-Leader article:

Even as the remaining deck beams continue to smolder on a burned-out bridge on the Frisco Highline Trail, Ozark Greenways members are planning reconstruction of the structure.

The bridge will be rebuilt largely because the June 10 fire destroyed wooden beams supporting a walkway but didn't seriously damage the 49-inch metal girders supporting the superstructure. . . .

Bruce Adib-Yazdi believes people who have started discovering the second-longest greenway trail in Missouri will greet the decision to rebuild enthusiastically, the president of Ozark Greenways said.

"I would think they would be encouraged we're not wasting any time," Adib-Yazdi said as the group's board took the first formal steps to rebuild the Little Sac River bridge. "There's no question this bridge will be rebuilt." . . .

A state fire investigator has determined the fire was intentionally set.

The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives was asked by the state fire investigator's office to participate, ATF Kansas City regional spokesman Paul Marquardt said.

A recent News-Leader editorial supported rebuilding the bridge:

Greenways officials have kicked off a $100,000 in 100 days program. That goal is to repair the bridge as soon as possible, although that timing would also coincide with the one-year anniversary of the completion of the trail that goes from Springfield to Bolivar.

You can donate to the effort by sending a tax-deductible contribution to Ozark Greenways, P.O. Box 50733, Springfield, Missouri 65805.