 In its second year of operation the canal firm that owned it decided to start charging tolls.This prompted local leaders to hasten to the state legislature to persuade the state to purchase the bridge as part of the state highway system.The state purchased the bridge despite the state-employed consultant's opinion "that the ugliness of the structure is very apparent" (Dorpat), despite defects in the timber floor and concrete piers, and despite leaks in the waterpipes.