JERMYN -- A bridge that's been off limits in part of Lackawanna County will soon reopen, but only to foot traffic.
A chain link fence blocks off a relatively short bridge on Lincoln Avenue in Jermyn. No vehicles, walkers, or joggers are allowed, mostly because of the gaping holes in the bridge deck.
"At first, it wasn't bad," said neighbor Jill Wormuth. "The first year it was closed, we didn't have any traffic, so the last couple years it's more of an inconvenience. Now, I've had enough."
Pretty soon there will be a way to cross this bridge. The borough asked the county to find a way to open the bridge for foot traffic.
Neighbors are thrilled.
"That's something," said Wormuth. "If we go for a walk or walk the dogs or a bike ride, you can go to the main road and get to Mayfield without going around three blocks."
"That's great! That's great. The mailman will be happy to hear that, too!" said neighbor Jim Pidgeon.
This bridge on Lincoln Avenue in Jermyn has been closed for a couple of years now. While neighbors say it's good to see a temporary solution for pedestrians, they'd like to see a permanent solution to reopen this entire span.
"There definitely should be a permanent solution. I know there's a whole hold up with paperwork with the state and borough. Hopefully, (they will) come to a resolution soon," Wormuth added.
Until the project to make improvements to the creek and bridge gets the go ahead, the four-foot-wide walkway in the middle of the bridge will connect folks to both sides of Lincoln Avenue once again.
"There is a bus stop at that corner, so it will help the parents be able to go to Rushbrook (Street) and be at the bus stop with their kids," said Jermyn DPW worker Tony Fuga.
So far, there's no timeframe for when the walkway will open on the bridge.
"Hopefully, it's going to be soon, before the winter hits."
