The Hopewell Township Committee is seeking public input on the future of the Mine Road Bridge.
The bridge is on the township’s list of designated historic sites. It was built in the late 19th century by the King Bridge Company. Like the old Jacobs Creek Bridge and the Washington Crossing Bridge, it is an iron truss bridge, typical of the period when they were on the cutting edge of technology, according to information provided by Hopewell Township.
Due to structural deficiencies resulting from a downed tree that caused limited damage to the upper structure of the bridge several years ago, Mercer County proposes to remove the 4-ton load rated, iron truss bridge and replace it with a modern, 40-ton load rating bridge, according to the statement. Upgrading the bridge this way will keep it open to through traffic.
The Hopewell Township Historic Preservation Commission produced a resolution last fall suggesting that if repairs could not make the bridge usable for traffic at the 4-ton rating, the historic structure should be left intact and be utilized as a pedestrian bridge only, according to the statement.
The Township Committee will hold a public meeting to discuss the alternatives and the community’s preferences for the future of this bridge at 5 p.m. Jan. 27. The agenda and Zoom link will be posted in the Agenda Center on the township website at http://www.hopewelltwp.org. At this meeting, the county will present the various options it is considering.
The Township Committee encourages interested community members to voice their opinions at the meeting.
Public comment will be accepted at the meeting or by contacting Township Clerk Laurie Gompf at lgompf@hopewelltwp.org.
