Dear Friends,
Broome County officials are in the process of doing a citizen survey. (The Link is at the bottom of this update) The survey is to address natural and human-caused disaster issues and gather information about areas vulnerable to disaster. The information you provide will help coordinate activities to reduce the risk of future injury or property damage for you and others. Please read on. This is where the Bridge comes in.
The survey addresses and offers the option to address a number of areas. A vital area during natural disasters (such as flooding), is to have safe and reliable routes to and from a disaster area. It is also important for emergency responders to have quick and safe routes to where they are needed.
Recently, I had the opportunity to speak with several members of our local Endwell fire department. I was told that they had all signed our Bridge Petition and strongly felt that a bridge connecting to the highway between Vestal and Endwell was a vital part of our infrastructure that was missing.
You see, Endwell and Vestal Fire departments support each other for all types of vehicle accidents, house and structure fires, as well as other emergency situations.
Recently, there were several accidents on Highway 17 about 1 mile past the Endwell exit. As there was no interchange from the Hooper Rd area or Old Vestal Rd, emergency responders had to go out of their way and were delayed responding to the scene.
Recently, alongside of Endwell Fire, Vestal Fire responded to a fire on Wayne St in Endwell. When fire teams arrived, the home was fully engulfed in flame endangering any possible occupants and nearby homes and residents. Vestal's response could have been just minutes, but was delayed due to the route they had to take.
Likewise, Endwell Fire has responded to situations in Vestal and had to take a delayed route. When these delays happen, lives and property are in danger!
During the floods of 2006 and 2011, many of us were virtually trapped by flooded roads and washed out roadways. Had either Route 26 or 201 been damaged and closed, as was the Vestal ave bridge, the situation would have been very dangerous, possibly catastrophic, and still be causing issues today.
Friends, while our Senator and Assembly woman fail to see the issues caused by the lack of an interchange to the highway and joining 17C / Hooper Rd corridor of Endwell with Vestal, I know that you can! That's why I am asking that you complete the County survey.
On question 20, in the other block you can add " A bridge between Endwell and Vestal for Emergency situations" or something similar.
On question 21, you can add a statement similar to... "infrastructure improvements with an added emergency route across the river from Endwell to Vestal would be beneficial."
A direct connection between the Rt 17C/Hooper Rd corridor of Endwell to Vestal with a connection to the interstate is vital for our community for emergency purposes and economic as well.
Please help send another message to our County leaders and others about the importance of this bridge by completing the survey and responding to questions in a similar statement as noted above.
Of course, your responses to the other questions will also be very helpful to improving our community and making it safer.
Thank you for your concern and participation.
Here is the link to the survey....