Unsafe bridge will remain closed until funding is obtained
The Peters Road bridge will be closing to all traffic next Thursday after being deemed unsafe by Walworth County and the State of Wisconsin Railroad Commissioner, according to Town of Sharon Board Chairman Rich Brandl.
According to the release from Brandl, no foot or vehicle traffic will be allowed on the bridge, which crosses over the Wisconsin Southern Railroad tracks. The bridge is expected to remain closed until funding to construct a new bridge can be obtained.
According to Brandl, the board has been working towards a solution to fix the bridge for the past 20 years, though has not had any success despite having “redoubled” their efforts this year.
Brandl said as the railroad claims it does not own the bridge, it will not repair or replace the bridge, or even make it a grade crossing.
Brandl said the board will continue its efforts to do all it can to secure funding, all the while working with the railroad to re-open the bridge as soon as possible.
“We know this will be an inconvenience for many people,” he said in a recently released letter.
“We wish that there were a better solution that closing the bridge, but at this point, there is not.”
I live on this road and just learned of your news article I would like to know what is going to be done to helpt the 12 senior citizen families living just south of the bridge who are now landlocked going north – A 5 mile trip to the library or Senior Center in Darien now is a 15 mile trip and most of my neighbors are in their 80’s We were never notified by the Township of Sharon that it was closing other than a RIDICULOUS MAGIC MARKER SCRIBBLING on the back of the bridge weight limit sign that it was closing in 10 days – I am seeking legal counsel to sue the Wi Southern Railroad, Walworth County and The Township and the State for this issue as well as the fact that this could very well affect our property values! Any attorneys in the county who want to help please contact me