Department of Public Works Supervisor Tony Arrechi tells TLS the pedestrian bridge has already been repaired three times after being repeatedly destroyed.
“We have made repairs to the bridge three times this year alone, costing almost $2,000.00,” Arrechi says.
However, says Arrechi, “the area is no more or less hazardous than the surrounding area of the lake. If you get to close to the edge you can fall in. The railings and post were more for aesthetics than safety. Persons could sit on the railings and fall in, they could lean through the rails and fall in, etc.”
But with the railings destroyed a third time, the DPW decided to install bumpers instead.
“Bumpers are a common use on pedestrian/bike ways,” says Arrechi, “as no motorized vehicles drive across the bridge it is not a safety issue.”
“By installing the bumpers and reflectors it was more cost effective, less likely for vandalism and hopefully will deter loitering.”
[TLS]
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This gotta be a joke! are they saying no railings?? and the “bumpers” are gonna prevent kids from falling in??
This is like “please lets have a catastrophe happen in Lakewood”.
Anyone see who doing this should call 911 and report it right away. This is terrible behavior. This supposed be pleasure to walk on the bridge and not destroying it.
Donald, the rails do not prevent someone from falling in. What happens is we end up with people climbing on them and sitting on them. If you believe that railings are going to prevent someone from falling in then the entire lake would have to be enclosed. The only true way to prevent this type of accident is for adults to be diligent when walking around the lake with child. Adults and children need to use caution around any open water.
Tony – True, railings cant prevent people from falling in if they climb on it and don’t act responsible. traffic lights cant prevent accidents either if people don’t drive responsible. Are we gonna stop putting up traffic lights cus there are some people who don’t drive responsibly anyways?? We gotta do our best to prevent tragedy and not come up with excuses like these.
Lets think about the safety of our community!!!
The difference is that the other areas of without a fence are at the edge of the water wich is shallow however the bridge wich crosses the whole lake wich is deep should have a gate
@Are you suggesting that the township replace the railings at the rate that the vandals destroy them?
buy a 100 dollar camera and save another 2,000
Put in a stronger railing. The railing along route 9 doesn’t seem to break.
And what happens when a kid rides his bike across the bridge and slips?????
This is the kind of thing you finally d on a back country hiking trail not in the middle of a city with 50,000 kids
I agree w tony. Parents should watch their children more closely and educate them about the dangers of open water. If you must cross the bridge w a bicycle either walk it across or go w a friend any tragedy is just that. A tragedy but if we could use a little common sense and caution in all factors of life then maybe we would all be a lot safer
This would require a ma’akah according to halacha if it were jewish owned. “Lo sa’amod al dam re’acha.” This is an accident waiting to happen. education can’t keep everyone safe. Even with all the safety measures put in place there are still tragic accidents. We need to do all we can to minimize their occurrence.a life can’t be brought back a railing can. Do it for the safety of our children and for the family that may Gd forbid lose a kid.
AMEN! to #13.