Action Alerts and Email Templates

Most western Pennsylvania residents have traveled the Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-76 if you must) in the Somerset/Donegal area and wondered what purpose that free span, somewhat narrow, caged bridge over the turnpike served.

Most western Pennsylvania snowmobilers and hikers didn’t have to wonder. They knew this structure was a critical link in the hiking and snowmobile trail system in southwestern Pennsylvania.

Most PSSA members follow the Rolling Ridge, Laurel Highlands and Maple Summit Snowmobile Clubs’ articles in the Keystone Snowmobiler. They know that link has been severed, (the bridge is permanently closed to all uses due to structural concerns and will soon be removed) effectively cutting the 150 mile plus snowmobiling opportunity in the area in half at the worst possible time….in a winter of abundant Laurel Highlands snow and state budget woes.

Recognizing that this issue would have a devastating impact on hikers, snowmobilers and the businesses that count on those user groups for their economic livelihoods the local clubs began an immediate public relations campaign, petition drive and took other deliberate and time consuming measures calculated to address the issue. You’ve read about these in the aforementioned articles and can now follow the link from the PSSA website to the electronic petition, if you have not already signed a written or electronic version.

For years the local clubs have done a lot of heavy lifting for the good of all snowmobilers. They are doing it again, but need us all to help.

The PSSA has opened a dialog with the bridge owner, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources at the cabinet level, contacting Deputy Secretary Cindy Dunn, Director of DCNR’s Bureau of Recreation and Conservation to determine what the plans were to address the issue and emphasizing the critical nature of this bridge to all recreational users groups in the area, but especially snowmobilers.

Ms Dunn advised that this project is at the highest priority level within the Department, a sentiment echoed on a Regional State Parks Level by Jeff Anna, Acting State Parks Region 2 Manager who was ask to act as the PSSA liaison by the Deputy Secretary.

The PSSA Government Relations Specialist, Fred Brown, is also working his legislative avenues to keep this issue in the forefront of thought as we approach the budget season.

We have also secured a resolution from the DCNR’s Snowmobile/ATV Advisory Committee declaring the bridge a highest level priority for replacement, and SAAC will prepare a letter making the same recommendation to the Local Development District, to add to the definitive public crescendo for a resolution at the earliest possible date.

There is an old axiom that government works best when it is closest to the people. The users, clubs, business and general populace of the Laurel Highlands area are getting together, forming coalitions (PSSA is also contacting statewide recreational user

associations to determine if this approach holds promise on a macro level) and keeping the pressure on for a timely resolution..

Despite rumors that the bridge won’t be replaced, we are told from the highest levels of the Department that cooperation with the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission is present, a new bridge is well into design (having been started in 2003 when the PTC announced a lane widening program for 2010 and later postponed to 2016), and the replacement isn’t dependent on the widening project timetable. We trust this is true. Everyone involved is diligently watching developments and trying to sort fact from rumor.

We mentioned budget concerns. Again there are alternatives. Keeping the problem in the forefront and snowmobilers working together and with other affected user groups and local businesses will go a long way to resolving this problem which no one wanted, no one alone can fix and which has the potential to eat a lot of time while frustrating all involved frequently. And most are volunteers working for the good of the sport.

In the meantime there is talk of using other temporary means to remedy the problem. Perhaps a culvert under the turnpike carrying a perennial stream is an option, or a township road bridge. Those local decisions will occur with dialog by local users working together to solve the problem that is damaging the local communities involved. See the axiom, but also remember there is strength in numbers at any level.

The PSSA encourages you to sign the petitions and make your voices heard.

Let’s all get on board to Save the Bridge!