Only Days Left to Save the Historic Roche de Boeuf Bridge in Waterville

“Going, going, gone.” These words echo across materials being displayed throughout the northwest Ohio city of Waterville by the local Save the Bridge Association. From fliers to signs to banners, the message reflects a sentiment shared by the community: A beloved local landmark is at risk of disappearing forever.

Affectionately referred to as the Roche de Boeuf bridge, the historic interurban span crosses the Maumee River in Waterville between Lucas and Wood counties and is a point of local pride for thousands who live there.

Completed in 1908, the bridge was at one time the longest interurban trolley bridge in the United States. It was part of a 72-mile route running from Lima to Toledo that carried passengers and transported goods like newspaper and milk cans.

It later merged into the larger 217-mile Cincinnati & Lake Erie line, which traced the entire western edge of the state, making it the longest through-trolley run in the U.S. at the time.

The bridge itself measures 1,220 feet long, and a portion is constructed on top of the Roche de Boeuf rock, translated as “Rock of the Buffalo” in French, hence the bridge’s colloquial name. The rock is considered a ceremonial Native American meeting ground, lending even more historic importance to the site.

“The site is absolutely layered in history,” says Janice Braida, who has been a volunteer with the Save the Bridge Association since January 2026. “We want to preserve it. We don’t want to see it erased.”

Operations ceased on the rail line in the 1930s, and the bridge was left abandoned. For decades, the bridge has been painted and photographed by passionate artists drawn to its dramatic structure, and it even appears in the logo for the city of Waterville, as well as in murals in restaurants around town.

Between 2018 and 2020, Ohio Department of Transportation crews visited the structure to conduct land and environmental surveys and feasibility studies to see if the bridge could be salvaged. Following these surveys, ODOT recommended that the structure be demolished.

In April 2025, Waterville Mayor Timothy Pedro requested a yearlong delay on demolition in order to give time to finding a public entity to take ownership. He also requested that a committee be formed to look into solutions for how to save the bridge. This led to the creation of the Save the Bridge Association.

Founded by Barb Bruno, Dave Weber and Frank Butwin, the nonprofit organization works to raise awareness for the bridge and its historical significance, hoping to preserve it for future generations.

The Save the Bridge Association is currently lobbying Gov. Mike DeWine to provide another yearlong delay on demolition proceedings while they attempt to locate a public entity that could take ownership of the structure. Over the past year, the group has urged community members to take action by passing out fliers, making calls to the governor’s office and other representatives and signing a petition.

Now, the yearlong grace period is coming to a close, and no one has stepped forward to assume ownership of the bridge. Unless the governor’s office issues another extension, providing time for the Save the Bridge Association to find a suitable owner, the demolition contract will open for bid April 9.

If a public entity assumes ownership before the deadline, the Save the Bridge Association hopes a long-term stabilization plan for the bridge can move forward, ultimately repurposing the span as a pedestrian bridge.

Those interested in supporting the efforts of the Save the Bridge Association can sign the petition posted on the organization’s website, call the governor’s office or donate.

“This bridge is Waterville’s heart and soul,” Braida says. “… This is our Mount Rushmore. This is our Leaning Tower of Pisa.”

For more information, visit savethebridgeassociation.com.

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