Municipality Denying Structural Risk of Their Own Property 7

[bigmig]

I was visiting my childhood stomping grounds this year an noticed a pedestrian bridge, owned by the Town, on Town property crossing a creek. The bridge is over 30 years old, and is constructed with telephone poles converted to Girders. The pole ends have began to decay. The bridge guard rail is a system of nailed-together 2x4's, precariously balanced. They are at least 30 years old.

I observed the bridge in action during a local duck derby. A crowd, mostly children, had gathered to watch the duck finish, which coincidentally is right below the bridge. The bridge began to bow, the handrail began to fail, the crowd screamed, and everyone let go of the rail just in time for it to spring back into place. Scary.

After the event I inspect the bridge, and do partially intrusive inspections to determine rot extent and basically give myself enough "fact" to present this issue to the Town. I approach the town with a letter, outlining the risk.

They respond quickly, but without action. Our back and forth "hey you have a problem", "it is not a priority for us right now" has been going on for 9 months. Who has the political power to give these guys a kick in the pants? I can write the news paper? Head up a pitch fork and tar crowd? Send the letter to their insurance company?

I'm just at a loss.

 

[oldrunner]

Another way: Call the Fire Department and tell them that it's unsafe and show them your letters/concerns. Show them the rotted material and the condition of the safety rails. There might even be something in your State Safety Orders. The Fire Department should have some people on their staff that can make a common sense decision.

 

[GregLocock]

I realise that if it didn't happen to a Murkin it don't matter, but

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cave_Creek_disaster

was a wakeup call.

Cheers

Greg Locock


New here? Try reading these, they might help FAQ731-376

http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?

 

[berkshire]

Bigmig,
Be careful how far you go with this , or you might end up like this poor guy.
B.E.

You are judged not by what you know, but by what you can do.