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Long Road to Short Bridge in Plymouth Township

PLYMOUTH TOWNSHIP — A powerful flash flood wiped out the Coal Creek Bridge near Plymouth and damaged the neighborhood that surrounds it several years ago,...
luz bridge

PLYMOUTH TOWNSHIP -- A powerful flash flood wiped out the Coal Creek Bridge near Plymouth and damaged the neighborhood that surrounds it several years ago, but on Tuesday, the community gathered to celebrate the official opening of a new bridge.

People driving by might not even notice the Coal Creek Bridge; it is not very long. But folks here say five years after it was washed out by a flood, having it back is a big deal.

On July 3, 2011, a storm swelled the creek to devastating proportions. The raging water broke up pavement and crushed cars.

"Can't believe it has been five years," said Gary Neupauer.  "It seemed like it just happened."

Neupauer lives by the bridge and remembers the flood and the fear.

"It was like a geyser shooting up, and I mean there were tanks floating down, tanks coming out of them. You didn't know if they were going to explode or whatever."

After the storm, the Coal Creek Bridge was gone.  It was the main route from this neighborhood to the borough of Plymouth.

For years, officials improvised with a temporary military surplus bridge, but now a new, permanent bridge is a reality.

Officials celebrated with a ceremony, cheering as municipal trucks drove across the new span.

Plymouth Township supervisor Joe Yudichak and his state senator son John recalled how they teamed up.

"When we had the flood, I knew who to call and who to boot in the butt," laughed Joe Yudichak.

"And he knew who would show up," added his son, state Senator John Yudichak.

Residents were told that because the area of the flood was small, it did not qualify for help.

"They were told by the federal and state government, there would be no money, no financial assistance, to recover from this storm. Thankfully the people of Plymouth Township and borough, their leaders don't take no for an answer," said Sen. Yudichak.

Eventually grants totaling than $1 million in state taxpayer money helped pay for the project.

While it may only take seconds to walk over this bridge, for people who live nearby, it means their community it whole again.

Folks in this neighborhood did have to deal with detours for three months of construction so they are really glad the new bridge is in place.

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