Burke Bridge Still Broken

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Created on Friday, 07 February 2014 18:38
Written by Matthew Drew

burke bridge3EAST BURKE - The Hayden crossing bridge in East Burke may never re-open. The state of Vermont determined the bridge was unsafe almost two years ago and now the town of East Burke doesn't think they can afford to perform the necessary repairs.

 

"Well first place we would apply for a grant," said Sam Sanderson, Burke select board member. "If we couldn't get a grant for most of it we couldn't build it."

A small brook runs underneath the bridge which has caused the dirt under the footings to deteriorate. Footings are what support the bridge and if those go bad, which is the case with the bridge at Hayden crossing, then it will be deemed unsafe. If the town receives the grant, the next step will be to drill into the soil to see what type of soil it is. Burke tax payers will have nothing to worry about as it will not effect their rates.

"...right now I'm thinking around 22,000 dollars is a cent on a tax rate. A cent would be what? Ten dollars on a hundred thousand dollar house," said Sanderson.

Burke residents have called the bridge a shortcut but they are still upset that they have to drive an extra two miles to get around the bridge.