As part of the process, various alternatives for the bridge were reviewed and analyzed. They included: building at the current location; building upstream from the current location; building downstream from the current location; building downstream from Bicentennial Park; building an access off Mercer Street; rehabilitation for vehicular and pedestrian traffic or not building at all, leaving the bridge closed.

Beachy reminded commissioners that they and the CAC both agreed with the recommendation to build at the current site.

The county owns the bridge, but approvals for replacement must come from PennDOT and the Federal Highway Adminis-tration, as they are funding sources.

Beachy said PennDOT has had the current-site recommendation for about a month and the county should know its approval status within two weeks. He noted it’s the number one priority project for PennDOT.

Should approval be given for replacement at the current site, an environmental study and archaeological study must be done to ensure no endangered species are in the water nor archaeological artifacts there. An engineering design would have to be done as well.

Should the Ernst Trail group receive the bridge, it too will have to do an environmental study in Mill Run — at its own expense.

“Personally, I’m in favor of it. It would help us out a lot,” said Waid of the proposal to give the bridge to the Ernst Trail group once the time comes.

Jane Smith can be reached at 724-6370 or by e-mail at jsmith@meadvilletribune.com.

A brief update on renovation of county bridges was given to Crawford County commissioners at Tuesday’s work session by Owen Beachy of The EADS Group, the county’s contracted engineering firm.

- Muddy Creek Bridge in Athens Township. Environmental studies have been complete with no significant environmental impact discovered. Once approval has been given by Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, design work can begin.

- Kreitz Road Bridge in Cambridge Township. Final design has been completed, but the last report from PennDOT is “there is no funding for construction,” said Beachy. Although Gov. Ed Rendell has $359 in potential funding for bridge repairs, Beachy said there will be “no funding until October of 2009.”

- Smith Road Bridge in Summerhill Township. The Pennsylvania Historic Museum Commission has analyzed this bridge and there is no historic distinction. It could be rehabilitated.

- Tower Road Bridge in Spring Township. Construction work is a week or two behind schedule, but work is progressing on this replacement project.