Creek Road Pedestrian Bridge Closure

Update: 6/23/18

Carroll Township demolished the Creek Road pedestrian bridge on April 16 after finding it had dangerously deteriorated. Norfolk Southern received payment from the township to tear down the wooden and steel structure and haul it away. The township reserved the right to erect a new bridge on the old concrete abutments, which were found to be in good shape. Per the township engineer, a new steel truss bridge will cost approximately $226,000. The township supervisors said they were open to neighbors and other interested parties helping to identify funds for a replacement; however, there is currently no organized effort to bring that about. In fact, the May township Board of Supervisors meeting was the first since this issue arose in which the bridge was not discussed.

Informal talks with the supervisors suggest they want to see wide support for a replacement, extending to communities beyond ours. We know the Harrisburg Bike Club and the Messiah College Cross Country team used the bridge frequently in the past. The township would also want help doing leg work to identify and apply for grants to defray the cost.

Inspection Report

Here is a link to the township engineer's bridge inspection report.

Update: 2/7/18

The Carroll Township supervisors reached an agreement with Norfolk Southern to demolish and remove the bridge at Norfolk Southern's expense. The township placed concrete blocks at either end in anticipation of this soon happening. Once the bridge is down, the supervisors will see if it is possible to find funding to replace it. The next regular monthly Board of Supervisors meeting will be Monday, 2/12, at 6:30 PM at the township municipal building.

Update: 11/7/17

This month's Carroll Township Board of Supervisors meeting is on 11/13 and will include an update on the Creek Road pedestrian bridge. The meeting is at the township building, 555 Chestnut Grove Road, and will start at 6:30 PM.

Per the 11/6 working session, the board plans to make a motion to tear down the existing wooden structure on the basis that is not repairable and has to come down no matter what happens next. It may take up to a year to get the permits and arrange removal. The engineer provided costs to tear down ($55K) as well as to rebuild a wooden bridge ($262K) or a steel truss bridge ($226K). No decision has yet been made regarding rebuilding. The supervisors are going to request a meeting with Norfolk Sourthern to see if N.S. is willing to help in any way.

Overview

By now some of you may have noticed Carroll Township closed our pedestrian bridge on Creek Road. This happened because the township engineer inspected the bridge, decided it was no longer safe, and recommended immediate closure.

My family members, and I'm sure many others in the neighborhood, have used the bridge every day for many years and are surprised and unhappy with the closure.

The bridge has been there for many years and is the result of hard work and cooperation between the township, the railroad, and the BHCA. It connects us to our neighbors; gives us all quick access to the Yellow Breeches, Ashcombe, the Steam Engine grounds and flea market, and T.J. Rockwell's; and serves as another pedestrian and cycling outlet for our neighborhood. It would be a shame to see it permanently closed.

I understand that safety is the prime concern but I would like to see a plan to make repairs and reopen the bridge in a timely manner.

I called the township Tuesday and was told the board has not yet decided what to do with the bridge, if anything. I had the impression they were going to measure the public response before deciding.

Therefore, if you have an opinion I ask that you please call the Carroll Township office at 717-432-4951 to express it. They are open M-F from 8:30 to 4:30.

The board is also accepting letters addressed to

Carroll Township Board of Supervisors
Carroll Township Municipal Building
555 Chestnut Grove Road
Dillsburg, PA 17019

Furthermore, residents are welcome to attend upcoming board meetings. There is a working group the first Monday of the month and a proper meeting the second Monday of the month, so the next meetings are this coming Monday, 10/2, and Monday 10/9. They start at 6:30 PM and are open to the public. I was told the engineer will not attend on 10/2 but will attend on 10/9. We were asked to call the office on the prior Thursday to get the bridge added to the agenda.

Please consider speaking up before it is too late.

History of the Bridge, from BHCA Resident Sherry Morgan

I wonder how many residents know the history, the perseverance that some of the BHCA residents went through, and the relief that was felt when a compromise solution was reached with the township. The railroad bought out the bridge from the township. The township had the money earmarked for a dump truck. The old road bridge was rickety and made me nervous to cross but cars did it anyway. At least there was a bridge to get our kids and adults safely across the tracks to Williams Grove Amusement Park and their friends in the trailer park and other short destinations. We had come to rely on that bridge for pedestrian safety sake. Residents from Carroll Township insisted we were being selfish when we insisted on a safe pedestrian crossing as a replacement; we were willing to forfeit the vehicular crossing. An alternate way of getting across was thought of as going under the bridge where the small creek passes and then going up the track to the other side. However, finally, the township and we reached the compromise solution that is present. We were elated to see the township construct a sturdy bridge - much, much sturdier than the vehicular bridge. We were elated; the township even put up the finer safety fence for us. And. . . . they got their dump truck with the balance of the money since we did not "demand" a replacement vehicular bridge. The bridge is sturdy and certainly much safer than going down the bank, across the tracks, and back up the bank. Kids will figure this out - trust me!

You can have no idea the amount of energy and time it took to have it approved and installed in the first place unless you were part of that process.

The bottom line is that the bridge is much, much, much, much safer than the alternate route. If the township does not open the bridge I shudder to think of the danger posed on the people who are insistent on getting across the tracks one way or another.