June 23, 2011
MACLAY BRIDGE REPORT
June 23, 2011
Maclay Bridge Report #8
It has been two months since we last reported that we were planning to carry a petition to ask Missoula County Commissioners to remove Maclay Bridge as a priority for replacement. If you have watched newspapers and televised local news, you know it has been a busy two months, but yesterday we delivered the petition to the commissioners along with 1196 signatures.
Support for the petition came from voters in all areas of Missoula County , not just Target Range or west of the river. The majority of signatures were collected in three weekends at collection points including Rosauers, U. of Montana Campus , and Farmer’s Markets down town and at Target Range School . County wide support for the petition was important because we were criticized for a “Not In My Backyard” attitude. While I for one do not object to being called a “NIMBY” we did not want the petition rejected by county commissioners on that basis. Although many signed with addresses in Target Range , Big Flat, O’Brien Creek, many others signed with addresses in Lolo, Evaro, Clinton, and Bonner.
The fight is not over by a long shot, but we have given commissioners food for thought with the number of signers. Based on comments after our delivery of the petition, we believe the commissioners will go forward with a feasibility study next fall because the bridge is “functionally obsolete.” (Translation; old and single lane) According to Montana Department of Transportation, we can expect the cost for this to be $150,000, and it will only determine whether the project requires further study with a full blown Environmental Impact Statement or the reduced Environmental Analysis. This study will apply to the EIS or EA, but does not satisfy the requirement for either. So, beginning now, costs will begin to mount rapidly even though construction will not happen before 2018. The majority of this will be paid from state coffers with federal support, so this expense can be added to the list of flood damages that will be mandatory due to washouts.
As this issue continues, new items of significance come to light. One of these is that last February, the Director of Public Works for Missoula County made a public statement that Maclay Bridge was off-limits to emergency vehicles. MBA quickly corrected him because ambulance and fire response vehicles were crossing when called with no delay in service to areas west of the Bitterroot River . After he was corrected, he issued an edict to the rural fire department that limited crossing to one vehicle used by the department, a type 6 fire engine, which is smaller than the type 1 engine that had been crossing. This edict was to remain in place until the fire response vehicles had been “certified” to cross. The DPW asked for weight and other significant information so the certification process could happen. The rural fire chief promptly sent the requisite information to DPW. Last month (4 weeks ago) the DPW claimed he did not receive the information, so the fire chief resent it, this time with copies to the commissioners. As of June 20, no certification has been received, and no authorization to cross has been given in spite of the fact that a type 1 engine had been crossing for more than 6 years. The fire chief has indicated that first response west of the river will be answered with the small type 6 engine, to be followed by the larger engine which will have to go around until certification is received.
Other significant events include a recent Montana Supreme Court Decision announced last month that approved neighborhood plans must be essentially adhered to by local governments. (City of Missoula v. Heffernan) Maclay Bridge was addressed in the Target Range Neighborhood Plan and identified as adequately serving the area for the next 20 years. That plan was approved by Missoula County Commissioners last August without comment. Less than two months later they had engineers involved in discussions about replacement. This is another issue that commissioners refuse to discuss.
Visit maclaybridge.org for more information.
Bob Schweitzer
544-9066
