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Bridge woes heard

Owner tears down span

MIDDLESEX TWP — The owner of a business on Route 8 recently removed a small bridge he said was unsafe for motorists, but 20 residents who used the bridge say a right of way exists that allows them access to the span.

The residents plan to approach the township supervisors about the situation at their meeting at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday.

The bridge in question allowed the residents of Hillview Drive to easily access Route 8 via the Blue Bird Bus Sales property. The small bridge carried Hillview Drive over Glade Run, which runs parallel to Route 8 on its west side.

But the company’s owner, Mark Schmitt, removed the bridge recently.

With that access to Route 8 cut off, the Hillview Drive residents now must turn onto Oak Hill Drive, and then Denny Road to get to Route 8.

The alternate route is not excessively out of the way, but the homeowners say the right of way that gives them access to the bridge is on file at the county courthouse. Some say their deeds show the right of way that allows them access to the bridge.

A sign on Hillview Drive near its intersection with Oak Hill Drive says “No thru street” and “No access to Route 8.” A bus backed up against the torn-out bridge on the east side of Glade Run contains a sign stating “Lane closed.”

Conrad Ostertag, whose home is on the section of Hillview Drive that most frequently used the bridge, has owned his property for 40 years.

“He bought that property knowing about the right of way,” Ostertag said.

He said while he has had positive interaction with Schmitt in the past, he thinks Schmitt should rebuild the bridge.

“I feel I was injured in the sense that the bridge was pulled out and he declared it unsafe,” Ostertag said.

He said no residents of Hillview Drive were consulted by Schmitt before he tore the bridge out.

William Ometz lives on the upper end of Hillview Drive, which is farther away from the former bridge. Ometz said while he has always used Oak Hill Drive to access Route 8, his son used the bridge.

“I can understand (the residents’ frustration),” Ometz said. “That’s a real situation down there.”

Schmitt gave a statement on the situation on Thursday.

“That private, one-lane bridge, which has been unmaintained for the last 35 years, suffered significant damage during the most recent flooding,” Schmitt said. “The bridge was removed because it’s unsafe, and I was concerned for the safety of anyone crossing it.”

Schmitt did not say whether he plans to rebuild the bridge. He also did not mention the right of way the residents claim exists.

Township solicitor Michael Hnath was out of town and unavailable for comment on whether the supervisors can do anything to help the residents.

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