The State Highway Administration will hold an open meeting November 5 to discuss their plan to close the Chester River Bridge sometime next Spring for repainting. According to the SHA, the draw bridge will be raised and both lanes will be closed for up to four weeks.
The consequences of the proposal could be severe, both for public safety and for the community’s economy.
On Monday, October 27, former Mayor Margo Bailey and restaurateur Paul Hanley invited the public to discuss strategies on what to include in an impact statement they would like presented to the State Department of Highways. Between 30 and 40 attended the meeting.
Aside from fire and rescue service efficiency being severely hampered by the closure, economic impacts were also discussed, from High Street to Washington College and from Kingstown Farm and Garden to Acme.
About half of the Volunteer Fire Department’s crew live on the south side of the bridge. Having them re-route their response through Crumpton, an extra 20-plus minutes could cause critical delays in an emergency situation.
Ken Fry, CEO of Willard Agri-Service, projected that his company could lose as much as $300,000 or more if the bridge closing happened during the height of the growing season in the spring, when ag trucks cross the bridge more than 200 times a day.
The meeting’s focus was to determine what, if any, counter-proposals could be made to the State Highway Administration to either keep one lane open at all times or to provide an alternative. Ideas offered ranged from pontoon bridges to having the center of the bridge shipped out for painting and repairs and having that section filled with a temporary structure.
Kent and Queen Anne’s Rescue Squad Chief Allan Schauber, contacted after the meeting, said, “The last time they painted the bridge the center section was removed and worked on while being replaced by a temporary structure. I don’t see why they couldn’t do that again,” he said.
Schauber also mentioned that he was concerned that the November 5 meeting will be held from 9-11 in the morning when many people would be unable to attend. “I contacted the SHA to find out if we could change the meeting time, but have not received any response,” he added.
As with the Fire Department, The Rescue Squad would be impacted by a month-long closure. “I’ll probably have to add paid employees to make sure we continue to serve the public,” he said.
The Spy talked with Paul Hanley, owner of the Blue Heron Café, on Thursday, October 30, and asked him to encapsulate his takeaway from strategy session, the consequences we face as a community during such a closure, and how the town might best make its appeal to the SHA to consider better options on the 5th.
Petitions are at most stores and public buildings throughout the community.
John Hudson says
What about contacting someone associated with the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, (CBB) to help us with a solution? There must be someone from Kent County or Queen Anne’s County that would know someone from the Bay Bridge who could offer a viable solution to our circumstance. They do the majority of the painting of the Bay Bridge during off peak hours at night from 8:00pm to 5:00am. Somehow I don’t feel the painting of the Chester River Bridge is the only reasons for closure for four weeks. There must also be a structural or mechanical component needed for the Chester River Bridge.
Marissa Seidel says
Where is this meeting on Nov 5th being held?
Gerry Levin says
I certainly hope they come up with another solution because this would be an economic disaster for Chestertown.