HomeMy WebLinkAboutBridge_Courier_10/05/2009 ■ ■
PAGE A7 • SUNDAY, OCTOBER 5,
� The Jupiter Courier �
A Scripps Howard Newspaper
Brightman Brock, �4anaging Editor
Kit Bradshaw, Editorial Page Editor
Rich Ciarlarieilo, Palm Beach County Sales Manager
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If there was any doubt that there is interest in the Te-
questa bridge, which spans the North Fork of the Loxa-
hatchee River, it was dispelled Tuesday when a packed
house filled Tequesta's First Baptist Church for a dis-
CUSS1011. I
In a community of just a few thousand people, it was
estimated that more than 250 were in attendance at the
public meeting, a��eat showing of interest in a local is-
sue.
The consensus of the public was that this bridge, built
i�i 1962, shot�ld be replaced at a cost estimated at $2.5
iilillion rather than repaired for $1.8 million. The new
briclge should last about 75 years as opposed to 20 years
f'or a repaired bridge.
Even though the meeting was well attended, with
many people voiculg their opinions, there are still some
questions, especially in regard to the new height of the
bridge.
The Village Council ordered Village Manager Michael
Couzzo to find out the cost if the bridge is raised one
feet, two feet or four feet aUove its present level. Council-
or Jim Humpage saici Wediiesday that 4 feet is about as
high as it can be raised and to allow for visibility as peo-
ple come to the intersections at either end of the bridge.
Liglltulg will be an issue, as the council tries to make
the bridge safe for pedestrians without having bright
lights reflect into the windows of the nearby homes.
The village plans another open meeting iri November,
as more information is provided that will help the cotm-
cil make its fmal decision regarding this bridge.
We're sure that this one, too, will be well attended. Te-
questa residents have already shown they want a voice
in this decision and are willing to get involvecl.