©2006 The Chestnut Hill Local

One-way bridge draws criticism, concern
by JENNIFER KATZ

Several near misses and many more sightings of cars driving the wrong way on the now reopened Willow Grove Avenue Bridge have residents and community leaders concerned for the safety of drivers, pedestrians and cyclists alike.

Charlotte Feldman has lived within two blocks of the Willow Grove Avenue Bridge for 40 years. Last Saturday, she was driving eastbound on the now one-way thoroughfare, when a vehicle came speeding towards her head-on. The bridge was reopened on July 13 as a one-way, eastbound lane.

“The driver was laughing as he passed me,” recalled Feldman. “It’s become a game of chicken.”

Feldman said that Saturday’s encounter was the second of its type in less than a week. Several days earlier she was attempting to walk her bike across the bridge when again a vehicle came charging at her.

“I was putting my bike up to walk it across,” Feldman said. “And someone drove by as fast as they could, smirking almost.”

Emily Baker of Seminole Street said she too has witnessed vehicles driving the westbound on the bridge including a UPS truck. Baker came to the Chestnut Hill Community Association’s Design Review Committee meeting held last Tuesday to express her concerns that the one-way restriction is “an accident waiting to happen.”

Baker told the committee that she spoke with a worker from the streets department on the bridge. According to Baker, the worker revealed that the streets department is aware that drivers are going the wrong way and that the situation is “incredibly dangerous.” The man further said the department was under pressure to both reopen and not to reopen the bridge. He did not specify, according to Baker, who had pressured the city.

According to streets department spokesperson Keisha McCarty-Skelton, the bridge was reopened one way because the sidewalks were deemed too unsafe for pedestrians. The decision was made to forgo a traffic lane and to create pedestrian walkways. McCarty-Skelton said the streets department intends to keep the concrete barriers, posted signs and additional directional signage to remind people that the road is now one-way for the time being.

Many are still hoping that the change will not be permanent. Deidra Lyngard, director of communications and marketing at Chestnut Hill Academy, said if the bridge remains one-way permanently it would pose great concern for the student body at CHA including cyclists, pedestrians, school buses and parents.

“I hope that this is not permanent,” said Lyngard. “I hope that the streets department would consider engaging the community in the process through a public forum if it is even being considered on a permanent basis.”

Streets department officials did not respond to detailed inquiries by press time.

Chestnut Hill Business Association Executive Director Bob Previdi, who was at the DRC meeting, said that he has talked with officials at the streets department and there are now plans to add signage at Lincoln Drive and Willow Grove Avenue alerting drivers that the bridge is one-way. CHCA Vice-President of the Physical Division Susan Pizzano said that she was pleased the streets department responded to the community’s concerns but noted that the community association board intends to discuss the matter further at its next meeting on July 27.

Contact staff writer Jennifer Katz at 215-248-8804 or jenn@chestnuthilllocal.com.