The center will use a $10,000 grant from the Efroymson Fund of the Central Indiana Community Foundation to prepare nominations of the state's early concrete highway bridges for inclusion in the National Register.

Many of the early concrete bridges, which frequently had decorative details, have been removed over the years. The nominations will highlight the most significant remaining structures.

In the spring, graduate historic preservation students working at the center will research and write the nominations for bridges that represent three distinctive styles.

"The generous Efroymson Fund grant makes it possible for our students to learn about the design and construction of these important engineering structures around the state and assist in their preservation through listing in the register," said James Glass, director of the Historic Preservation Center.

The Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana, which assisted the center in applying for the grant, will review the nominations and select which ones will be forwarded to the National Register.

"The foundation hopes that nomination of three of the historic concrete bridges will help build more public awareness of their importance to the Hoosier landscape and spur more efforts to preserve the surviving structures," said Mark Dollase, vice president of the foundation's preservation services.

The bridge nomination will begin in January and will conclude by June.

The Historic Preservation Center is part of Ball State's College of Architecture and Planning.

By Kim Jackson