30/09/2025 10:12

The following sent on your behalf:

Dear Mayor Joe Grandy,
On behalf of the undersigned residents of Telford and the surrounding communities (please see attached), I am writing to urgently request your immediate attention and intervention regarding the prolonged closure of the Telford Road bridge over Brown Branch. The overwhelming response to the “Fix Our Bridge Now” petition highlights the severe and multifaceted hardships caused by this closure.
Main Concerns:
Critical Safety Risks:
The detour routes currently in use are narrow, with blind curves and inadequate for the volume and type of traffic now forced onto them. Multiple residents have reported near-collisions, actual accidents, and an incident where a vehicle was struck by a train due to the lack of proper railroad crossing signals. These conditions are especially hazardous for school buses, emergency vehicles, farm equipment, and daily commuters.
Delays Endangering Emergency Response:
The closure is significantly delaying response times for emergency services, which could have life-threatening consequences. There are three homes effectively trapped should a train be stopped on the tracks. Community members are deeply concerned that, in the event of a medical or fire emergency, vital minutes could be lost.
Economic and Community Disruption:
The detour is adding substantial time and cost to daily commutes, school bus routes, and business operations. Farmers, workers, and families are disproportionately affected, with some reporting damaged vehicles and lost business .
Erosion of Trust and Lack of Communication:
The absence of visible progress or clear communication has led to frustration and a loss of trust in local government. Residents feel neglected and question the allocation and management of repair funds .
Our Requests:
Immediate prioritization of the bridge repair and reopening, with clear timelines and visible action.
Regular, transparent updates to the community regarding progress and obstacles.
Interim safety measures on detour routes, such as enhanced signage, speed enforcement, and railroad crossing improvements, to prevent further accidents until the bridge is reopened.
The people of Telford and surrounding areas rely on this bridge for safe, timely, and convenient travel. We urge you to act swiftly and decisively to restore this vital link, address the acute safety and accessibility concerns, and rebuild public trust.
Thank you for your prompt attention to this urgent matter.
Very respectfully,
Jeffrey D. Banks, On behalf of the Telford Community