Unity/Hempfield bridge closure angers residents
Just to mow his own property, Zane Leeper has to drive 10 minutes out of his way on a back road from his home in Unity to get to the other side of his land in Hempfield.
That's because an unnamed bridge, built in the 1800s, that straddles the two municipalities was closed in late March because engineers said it was unsafe.
The 22-foot long bridge will remain closed indefinitely unless officials from the two municipalities can agree on a way to finance and build a new span. Neither municipality will claim ownership of the bridge, but both have shared repair costs in the past.
The closure concerns area residents who worry that it will take emergency vehicles longer to get to their homes because they have to use detours because the bridge is closed. Vehicles would have to travel along narrow Harhai Road and then make a sharp 45-degree turn onto Pores Road.
Large firetrucks have to stop, back up and then make the turn, Leeper said.
"You have to go way out of your way just to get right here," said his wife, Mary Ann.
Last June's flood complicated the problem when water ripped up part of the road leading to the bridge, making it impassable.
The bridge on Pores Road crosses a narrow stream, Township Line Run, which separates the two municipalities. Pores Run is north of Armbrust near the Robertshaw Acres Golf Club and Crystal Lake, a former picnic and swimming area.
"We've been without a bridge for five or six months," said farmer Todd Neptune, who says its difficult to maneuver large pieces of farm equipment over the narrow detour to get to another farm he owns.
"It's getting kind of tough," he said.
Unity Supervisor Mike O'Barto agrees with Leeper's assessment about emergency vehicles.
"The Leepers have a very good concern. It's public safety," O'Barto said. "It's very hard to turn. It would be much easier if they could use the bridge."
Hempfield included the bridge on its list of flood-damaged properties when it applied for federal disaster aid after the flood, but the application was rejected, said Hempfield engineer Dan Schmidt.
Engineers estimate the cost of building a replacement at $400,000. He said engineers reported the bridge was "shot" and temporary fixes would be a waste of money.
Mary Ann Leeper said the flood damage tore away a large portion of the road, making it impassable for cars. Unity hasn't installed any warning signs, so Mary Ann Leeper crafted a hand-painted cardboard sign to warn motorists.
"We have a security system, and cars will come up to the bridge not knowing it's closed and back into our driveway to turn around, setting off our alarms at 2 a.m.," she said.
Hempfield Manager Kurt Ferguson said there is no deal with Unity to share construction costs, although O'Barto said Unity is committed to helping pay for a new bridge.
"We made a commitment at our last meeting that half is our responsibility," O'Barto said. "We will definitely step up to the plate."
O'Barto said he will recommend that both municipalities rebuild the bridge using their own employees, splitting the cost and "save a whole heckuva lot of money."
If officials seek state approval for the project, Hempfield Supervisor John Bossi said it could take as long as 18 months to obtain the required permit.
"What are we supposed to do in the winter?" Mary Ann Leeper asked.
"We're not going to be able to do anything this winter," said Hempfield Supervisor Bob Davidson.
