Printer-Friendly
Email this Story
Post a Comment (1)
County considering options for damaged bridge
Loudoun County officials are still examining ways of improving access to a small community that was cut off when its bridge was severely damaged by flooding last month.
On May 12, flooding caused by several days of soaking rain sent debris and high water down Goose Creek and into the Crooked Bridge near Lime Kiln Road and south of Leesburg.
The force twisted and tossed the span, leaving it mostly impassable to cars and cutting off the 20 homes that make up the Greenlea subdivision along Crooked Bridge Lane.
"The bridge is in critical condition," John Sandy, the county's assistant administrator, told the Board of Supervisors June 3.
Since the flooding, some residents have chanced driving across the bridge so they can have a car parked on the opposite side, while others have used a crude "tractor road" to cross a nearby field to exit the area.
Officials have determined the bridge is privately owned, but they have not yet tracked down the owner.
To aid residents, one idea being considered is to construct a road through a field south of the community that would allow residents to enter and exit the area from Oatlands Road.
Another option is to build a new bridge at a cost of about $500,000. This one would not have pillars, making it less susceptible to damage by fast-moving debris, officials said.
Of the two, county officials said the road option would be less costly and quicker to build, but residents have indicated they prefer a new bridge.
Among payment options under consideration are to have residents pay for the work; have the county give the community a loan to cover building costs; or have the county establish a community development authority under which residents would be assessed a special tax to cover building costs.
"Should the county actually be doing this?" asked Supervisor Eugene Delgaudio (R-Sterling), who was the only board member Tuesday to question using county resources to aid the residents, adding, "This is private property."
It's unclear when any decisions will be made on solutions or funding.
Contact the reporter at jjacks@timespapers.com
It is a private bridge on private property. Taxpayers should not have to pay for the repairs. They knew what they were buying into (or should have)You fix it you will have to fix my private road so that emergency services can reach my house and my kids can get to the school bus. Since when is the county in the business of loaning money not to mention should they be. What is the interest rate going to be? What happens when they default. Then the county will own the land and have to pay for the repairs.
Posted by DandeWithTheWolf
Report Offensive Content
You must be logged in to post a comment.