HAMMOND, Ind. – Need a gift for the preservationist who has everything? A bridge might be just the ticket.

The Indiana Department of Transportation is offering groups a chance to acquire 45 spans statewide that are slated for replacement.

The Historic Bridge Marketing Program is being conducted in conjunction with the Federal Highway Administration and allows groups a chance to preserve structures that have historical value, Jim Pinkerton of INDOT's LaPorte office told The Times of Munster.

"You never know who might be interested in something like this," Pinkerton said.

The bridges can be reused in place or moved to another site with proper approval.

INDOT created the program in response to complaints from preservationists who said the state was replacing too many historic bridges without determining whether the spans could be reused in some way, according to transportation officials.

Many times, counties do not want to shoulder the costs and liability associated with maintaining obsolete bridges, but preservation groups complained that the state didn't advertise the bridges long enough to allow for fundraising and planning.

The bridge marketing program extends the time the bridge is advertised and makes money available for their acquisition through Transportation Enhancement funds. Groups interested in the bridges can be reimbursed up to 80 percent of the costs for disassembly, storage, site preparation and reassembly if they promise to maintain the structure for at least 25 years and keep it open to the public.

Available bridges are listed on an INDOT website and include spans in Lake, Perry, Vanderburgh, Shelby, Hamilton, Putnam, Daviess and Allen counties. The online descriptions include their length, current status, year built and contact information for those interested in acquiring them.

INDOT officials say some parts of bridges could be reused for county highways or trail projects.

To see the list visit www.in.gov/indot/2967.htm.