How Would You Fix This Bridge?

[bdhsfz6]

So does someone periodically grade/drag your road?

Yes, I do.
That's another sore point. I can usually get a few property owners to kick in a few bucks for materials, but I provide the equipment & labor pro bono.

 

[bdhsfz6]

It actually might become much easier to fix if a complete failure occurs. It then becomes immediate rather than theoretical.

It probably would be easier to obtain an emergency permit if the bridge fails completely. However, the work still needs to meet DEP specs and would likely cost more in the long run. Then there is the inconvenience of not being able to get to our homes for an undetermined period of time..

 

[bdhsfz6]

I suspect you'd have already replaced the pipe and this thread wouldn't exist but for all the regulations?

Absolutely! We have the equipment to do the excavation on site. The only thing we would have to pay for is a piece of 6' poly pipe and someone to deliver it.

 

[bdhsfz6]

County would likely require a Lot more than the pipe replaced to accept maintenance. Think 2 12 ft lanes, stripping, signage, ect. No idea length, or households served, but figure a min of $250,000/mile in upgrades, not counting the pipe/embankment.

The subdivider tried to get the township to take over the road when it was first built in 1974. Even back then, the cost to bring it up to spec was out of the question. The drainage alone would cost close to $30K, and that was in 1974 dollars.

 

[paulsharvey]

The subdivider tried to get the township to take over the road when it was first built in 1974. Even back then, the cost to bring it up to spec was out of the question. The drainage alone would cost close to $30K, and that was in 1974 dollars.

True is, no agency Wants a road, its not an asset, its a liability. They will take what they absolutely have too, or what is needed for their own needs, but they dont want more.

 

[WinterDeere]

It actually might become much easier to fix if a complete failure occurs. It then becomes immediate rather than theoretical.

This would be a good question for whoever is presently holding up the works. I'd not want to chance this to an assumption.

Not far off. They have several tigers, a leopard, an African lion (that I hear from the back porch when hes ready for breakfest and dinner), a Syrian brown bear, a jaguar,.and i see on the website, they recently got atleast one hyena.

I hope you carry, always. In most cases, it's only a question of "when", and not "if", a caged animal will escape.

I grew up living next to a home that fostered abused rottweilers rescued from bad situations. Many of the dogs were dangerous and mentally unstable, and although kept in a well-built kennel, there were at least two or three occasions in 20 years that I got chased by an escapee.

 

[chim]

In our township, roads and sewer lines installed by developers are built to our specs, inspected and then dedicated to the township. We had cases where the dedication was completed a few years after the work was physically done. Delays happened because easements / ROW's etc. weren't complete.

 

[MotorSeven]

It's a bad situation and going to get worse. I would get with those that have helped in the past and put together a "Bridge Failure Plan".

Such as: A portable deploy-able pedestrian walkway, a place to park cars and trucks on both sides. Emergency Services route & assistance. Shuttle service(pay at time of use....no free rides).....etc.

If you sit down and think about a bridge out game plan now, you will limit the future chaos quite a bit.

One other thing....have you considered getting the Media involved? Double edged sword and all..........

 

[MattB4]

It probably would be easier to obtain an emergency permit if the bridge fails completely. However, the work still needs to meet DEP specs and would likely cost more in the long run. Then there is the inconvenience of not being able to get to our homes for an undetermined period of time..

Which brings you back to making due until failure. My advice is to keep throwing bandaids on it, that they will allow, and hope it does not wash out until it is beyond your concern. Make it a SEP* situation.

*Someone else's problem

 

[tradosaurus]

Start a GoFundMe?

 

[paulsharvey]

So, that $50,000 bill, divided 14 ways, is still painful, but not so unreasonable. NO Way I would front the money, and then try to collect, but there may be something your local public works department can force?

 

[bdhsfz6]

Start a GoFundMe?

Not a bad idea!
A lot like begging though.

 

[tradosaurus]

Not a bad idea!
A lot like begging though.

Beggars can't be choosers.

 

[airbiscuit]

How many landowners would be affected by a lack of a crossing?

 

[WinterDeere]

How many landowners would be affected by a lack of a crossing?

Not the OP, but I already know the answer: define "affected". He stated several or most of the landowners do not reside on-site.

 

[tradosaurus]

Used military bridges

railcar bridges for sale

 

[paulsharvey]

Not the OP, but I already know the answer: define "affected". He stated several or most of the landowners do not reside on-site.

I saw reference to 14 somewhere up above. That works out to abour $3,500 per property. Not loose change, but also, not insane. The key is having the County (or EPA or whatevwr) service as the project management, and the bill collector.

 

[paulsharvey]

So, sounds like OPs case to some degree, and may others on here, myself included. Remember the old saying, "Do it once, it'd a favor; do it twice, its your job".

Thats why I dont grade my road often (or as often as needed), or beyond my property, and generally dont try to make it "nice" but fix some of the large holes. One time a couple people stopped to thank me. 2nd time, nothing. At that point, its like its just my responsibility.... Nope, not doing that guys

 

[paulsharvey]

Now, dont know where the OP is, or how local goverment is; but believe it or not, 14 people calling/emailing your county commissioner, respectfully, asking if they can do anything, can get atleast some traction. If its a large county, maybe not...

Edit: No, im not implying they will just come fix it. Im saying they May take maintenance of the bridge, get the grants, manage, and bill, the replacement.

 

[WinterDeere]

...old saying, "Do it once, it'd a favor; do it twice, its your job".

Wow... that sort of statement represents most of my life.

I have another I like to use with neighbors, taught to me by an older neighbor when I was very young with my first house: "I'll lend you any tool you'll need, once... maybe twice. But before asking me a third time, consider buying your own."