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Resident raises safety concerns after Polly’s Rock Road bridge weight limit cut; board explores temporary bridge
Summary
A Cairo resident questioned the board after the Polly’s Rock Road bridge weight limit was reduced to 3 tons following a DOT inspection. Engineers said 3 tons was generous; the board discussed temporary bridge options, emergency access and impacts on school buses and deliveries.
A Cairo resident told the Town Board on March 19 that the Polly’s Rock Road bridge has been reduced from an 8‑ton to a 3‑ton weight limit after the most recent Department of Transportation inspection, and urged the board to clarify safety and access implications for residents.
Board members and engineering representatives (Barton & Logiudice) said the DOT inspection cited deterioration and that lowering the limit was required; the engineers told the board that a 3‑ton limit was “generous” and that the other option would have been to close the bridge. The board discussed pursuing a temporary bridge while a new span is built, noting a target capacity in discussion of about 15–20 tons for the temporary structure.
Supervisor Watts said any temporary work would likely require a short road closure to install the temporary bridge. Board members and highway staff discussed routing emergency vehicles: the Round Top Fire Department was notified of the weight‑limit change, and emergency vehicles have permission to travel through Reidlbauers to reach the Polly’s Rock Road area in the interim. Board members asked highway staff to confirm whether other emergency providers and mutual‑aid partners were informed and how mutual‑aid access would be handled if the bridge cannot support typical apparatus.
Residents and board members also raised concerns about everyday impacts: how school buses will handle pickups and drop‑offs under the new limit, and how deliveries of fuel oil, garbage collection and other essential services will be maintained. Town staff said they would check whether DOT or county resources could supply a temporary bridge and, if not, whether the town would need to contract one. Art (board/highway staff) agreed to inquire whether DOT maintains deployable temporary bridges and to report back.
Why it matters: the bridge serves local residents and emergency responders. A prolonged closure or overly restrictive weight limit could disrupt school transportation and essential services while a permanent solution is designed and funded.
Next steps: highway staff to follow up with DOT and contractors on availability and capacity of temporary bridge options, and the board and highway department will coordinate notifications to emergency services and affected residents.
