Debate Over Future Of 112-Year-Old Burlington County Bridge
By David Madden
MOUNT HOLLY, N.J. (CBS) - A century old bridge over the Rancocas Creek has been closed to traffic since April, and Burlington County officials are pondering its future.
This is happening as an online campaign cranks up to repair and reopen the span.
Supporters of the Centerton Bridge connecting Willingboro and Mount Laurel are going around with petitions and talking it up on Facebook. They also plan to address county freeholders at a meeting tonight.
Preliminary estimates are it would cost upwards of $15-million to fix the span. Burlington County spokesman Eric Arpert says, "the county typically spends an average of $15-million a year to maintain all of our roads and bridges."
Add to that the fact that 295 is within eyesight of the span and was improved years ago in anticipation that the Centerton Bridge would one day close.
Freeholders are awaiting a final report from engineers which could include reopening the bridge to bicycles and walkers. It's hoped that report will be available sometime next month.