Photo courtesy of Charles Farlow | Stokes County Historical Society

The Town of Danbury is asking residents to weigh in on the future of the old Seven Island Bridge, pictured.

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The Danbury Town Council is seeking community input on the future of the historic Seven Island Bridge that used to span the Dan River.

A public comment session about the future of the bridge will be held at the council’s meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 23. The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. at the Danbury Public Library.

The steel truss bridge was removed and placed in a field several years ago, its future purpose undetermined. The town took possession of the bridge after it was condemned in 2005. At the time, some community members thought the bridge had historic value and should be preserved.

At the council’s July 2012 meeting, Town Administrator Mike Barsness reminded the council that it had passed its original deadline for removing the bridge from private property and needed to discuss how to move forward.

Barsness stated in an email this week that the town can propose several options. It can maintain the bridge where it sits, which will cost the town money. It can offer the bridge to a group or organization, but no one has stepped forward “with a serious plan” at this time. The town could also scrap the bridge or negotiate with a private buyer.

Barsness said the council will go into greater detail on the options at the meeting.

“We are asking for public comment because there may be some overwhelming feeling about the bridge that we haven’t realized,” Barsness stated.

For more information, call the town of Danbury at 336-593-2002.