February 19, 2010
Dear Mount Hermon residents and home owners:
I want to update you on developments regarding the use and disposition of Woodwardia Bridge and the emergency roadway access from Mount Hermon Road to Lilac Lane.
As you may recall, the Association initiated a series of structural enhancements to Woodwardia Bridge in the summer of 2007. The County advised the Association in August of 2008 that the fixes could only be considered temporary and that the bridge must be brought up to today’s standard (i.e., replaced). The Association informed the community of these developments by letter, and during a community informational meeting on September 3, 2008. In March of 2009 the County ruled that the current bridge must be closed by January 1, 2014.
The Association initiated a review of the options and discovered that a new bridge would cost approximately $1,000,000. An alternative option costing about $100,000 would be to use the emergency access from Mount Hermon Road to Lilac Lane as a permanent, all traffic, access in lieu of the bridge. The bridge could then be closed to vehicle traffic and available for pedestrian and emergency use only, if the County would approve such an approach. The Association felt that the lower cost for the new connector road would be preferred by the Association and home owners. This cost would be shared with all the home owners based on an 80/20 split between the residents and the Association.
After discussions with the County it became clear that they would only consider a right-turn-in/right- turn-out intersection at the Mount Hermon Road/Lilac Lane connection. The Association formalized a request to the Department of Public Works (DPW) for such an encroachment permit and submitted it on July 2, 2009. The matter was brought before the County Board of Supervisors on February 2, 2010, and they approved the concept.
We will now initiate a design contract for the roadway connector and enhanced intersection. Upon completion of the design, and engineering estimates, we will submit a permit application to the County. Upon permit approval by the county, and when funds are available, we will issue the design package for construction bids. Availability of funds will determine when the project will be completed. We are aiming for this year or 2011.
If you have any questions or concerns please contact Dale Pollock, our Technical Services Manager, at 831-430-1204. I will also be glad discuss any concerns you may have.
Sincerely Yours,
Alden Johanson