Risser's Mill Covered Bridge Meeting Summary

 

July 27, 2005 - Greetings to our Bridging Friends:

Last evening we attended the meeting regarding the Risser's Mill Bridge replacement. We estimate that there were over 100 persons in attendance. We heard one estimate of 150. We felt that the Lancaster County Planning Commission members were overwhelmed by the response.

After about a thirty minute Powerpoint presentation outlining the five proposals being considered, the floor was opened for comments from anyone wishing to speak on behalf of any of the five proposals. The comments went on for about one and one-half hours.

We estimate that there was at least a ninety percent response in favor of replacing the bridge with another covered bridge similar to the original Risser's Mill Bridge. Some of the ten percent that responded otherwise were not necessarily opposing a covered bridge, but had other comments about traffic in the area and problems with flooding in the flood plain in which the bridge was originally located.

We felt that it was a very good meeting with outstanding support in favor of a covered bridge replacement.

After the meeting, Sam Allen, who is spearheading the local drive on behalf of a covered bridge, suggested that if any of our contacts had not had an opportunity to write emails in support of the covered bridge project, there is still time to do so. Simply address your support to: planning@co.lancaster.pa.us We understand that a final decision on the project will not be made until the last week of September.

The planning commission indicated that a "fact finding" report including information on last evening's meeting and progress on the project will be available in about two weeks on its web site at: www.co.lancaster.pa.us/planning.

Thank you for your continued interest and assistance in this bridge rehabilitation project.

Happy Bridging,
Ben and June Evans