The township sought to delay efforts to repair the span.
By: Helen Pettigrew
MONTGOMERY The township’s plan to ask Somerset County to hold off on repairs to the Opossum Road Bridge has apparently been waylaid.
The Township Committee met with residents May 16 to discuss their concerns about the reopening of the bridge and decided to call county officials and ask them to delay seeking bids to renovate the 180-year-old span and straighten the road approaching the southern end of the bridge to improve poor sight lines.
Township Administrator Donato Nieman, who called the county to make the request, said Monday, "When I called up there, the bid was already advertised. Whether or not it’s going to be awarded, I can’t tell you."
Residents have said they want the historic bridge restored, but are concerned about the amount of traffic that would travel over the one-way structure if it were reopened. They also say the curved road is historic and should not be modified.
"We want the bridge repaired. The bridge has been getting in worse shape with every storm … but we don’t want that road realigned and we’re trying hard to stop that from happening," said Opossum Road resident Marilyn Cummings.
Resident Lisa Nelson said, "We were disappointed that the bids went out with the realignment in it. I guess our discussion now is to discuss those sight guidelines and do they have to be as drastic as what is proposed."
Ms. Nelson said residents plan to appear Thursday before the Township Committee.
Mr. Nieman said a county official informed him that even if traffic were not allowed over the road, as many residents hope, the road would still have to be realigned.