UDOT will soon tear down the Provo Center Street Viaduct, but before they do, they are hoping the public can provide historic photos and personal histories of its construction.

Built in 1936, the bridge will be replaced with a new interchange that will improve traffic coming to and from Provo's historic downtown to the freeway.

"It is going to be demolished" as part of the Interstate 15 widening project, said Nancy Calkins of Horrocks Engineers, who is heading up work to create a historic archive of the bridge before it becomes history. "We are looking for people who may have photos or stories about the Provo Center Street Viaduct Bridge."

The bridge was a New Deal federal works projects. Work was headed up by a Richfield company, L.A. Young Sons Construction, but relatives of those who owned the company in the 1930s have told UDOT they have not been able to find any company records documenting the work.

"I need any kind of information about the construction of the bridge, or any photographs," Calkins said. "The photo I would love to see is a photo of construction because at this point in time, we can only put together how it was made by the way it looks. It is only guesswork."

Another hoped-for artifact: "Photographs of what it looked like at night," she said, noting the bridge was lighted until the 1960s.

The bridge is a must-go to make way for a new interchange because "it is kind of right smack in the way," she said.

Construction teams are now submitting bids to win construction contracts for the I-15 project, said Heather Barnum of UDOT. Due on Nov. 19, the winning bid will pinpoint specific dates for demolishing the bridge. The entire I-15 project is expected to begin in spring and run through 2013 or 2014. The winning bid will be announced on Dec. 9.

"It will be a brand-new interchange," Barnum said. "We are trying to improve the mobility and efficiency in the Provo Center Street area. It will improve and open traffic to historic Main Street."

Anyone who can offer a personal history, photos, or other details of the 1936-37 construction of the Provo Center Street Viaduct is asked to call Nancy Calkins at (801) 763-5100 or e-mail nancyc@horrocks.com.