Today we celebrate a momentous event — Nebraska Highway Commission approval of the Rulo bridge project. We celebrate, and we ponder what might have been if caring citizens had not banded together for the betterment of the region.

For years, advocates for regional commerce and safety of travelers had called for replacement of the 70-year-old bridge carrying U.S. Highway 159 across the Missouri River. The Rulo bridge harkens back to another time. It was built in 1939 as a Works Progress Administration project, measures just 20 feet wide and includes curves on its approaches.

In short, this bridge is deserving of its place on a listing of Missouri River bridges in “poor” condition and with serious safety flaws.

Civic leaders in Mound City, Mo., Falls City, Neb., and points all around the nearby region knew these concerns well. They had seen truck traffic and businesses avoid the region because of the questionable bridge. Many personally had concerns when driving family and friends across the span.

Despite their best efforts, the advocates were stymied until fall 2007, when real estate developer Mitch Glaeser urged attendees at a Falls City Chamber of Commerce event to take matters into their own hands and begin a letter-writing campaign.

“There were over 1,600 letters of support,” recalls Charlie Radatz, a co-chair of the effort with Beth Sickel. “… Over 1,600 reasons why this project needed to get done to protect public safety and provide a brighter future for Southeast Nebraska, Northwest Missouri and Northeast Kansas.”

That watershed event was followed with a press conference highlighting the safety concerns and with a trip to Washington, D.C., to lobby for funding for design work. Along the way, Falls City Mayor Rod Vandeberg gained appointment to the Highway Commission.

Long story short, the commission on Friday approved design and access plans for the $29 million bridge that is a joint project of the Nebraska and Missouri transportation departments. Acquisition of right of way can begin. Construction is slated for 2011, and the bridge is to be completed by 2013.

No retelling of this achievement can do justice to all of those who exercised their civic right to petition their representatives for action. Mr. Radatz hailed Friday’s vote as “living proof that representative democracy works in the 21st century.” He also captured its essence: “A compelling story and one with a happy ending.”