Lower Milford Residents Say Scout Rd. is a Liability

A bridge on Scout Road may not be replaced due to prohibitively high costs and may force the township to privatize the road, says the Lower Milford Board of Supervisors.

The bridge, which was permanently removed from the road in 2011, split Scout Road into two segments. Residents of the road came with petitions and lawyers to address the issue at the Board of Supervisors meeting April 9. 

"[Removing the Scout Road Bridge] puts the residents of that area at risk," said lifelong Scout Road resident Ann Frey at the Board of Supervisors workshop. 

That risk became a reality in January 2011, when Scout Road resident Jeanie Schoch suffered a stroke during a severe snowstorm. "In January 2011, I had a stroke," said Schoch, reading from a letter written to the Board of Supervisors. "The ambulance was stuck on the other side of the bridge. They had to call back to get directions to our home.... Time is of the essence in heart attacks and strokes." 

Wrong directions aren't the only concern for residents. Also in the audience was attorney William Fries, representing an elderly man living on Scout Road. "On Jan. 21, there was a medical emergency. Before the bridge was removed, the emergency vehicles could have reached him home by crossing the bridge," Fries said. "There is some case law to support the fact that the township is derelict in their duty and must replace the bridge sooner or later." 

But as township officials pointed out, the cost to reconstruct the span of road is high. "[A bid in 2006 stated] it would cost approximately $361,000 to replace the bridge," said Michael Smith, an engineer with Cowan and Associates. 

A turnaround at the end of the road isn't much more cost effective. "[The bid on a turnaround in 2006] came in at $180,000 for one side," said Smith.

The board asked for recent numbers to come in. "We need to get the information up to date for 2012," said Board of Supervisors chairwoman Donna Wright. Some board members saw few options for the road. "We could take a partial abandonment or we privatize the road," said supervisor Mike Snovitch. "We only collect $250,000 a year [for the township] in taxes. It's not practical to rebuild."

Information is expected at an upcoming meeting. 

Until then, residents will wait for action and continue to collect signatures for a petition to reconstruct some patch across Scout Road. "In my opinion, the township has failed to perform its duties," said Schoch.