Placed on the National Register of Historic Places by the National Park Service in early 2010, the Chandler Mill Road Bridge was closed on May 6th by Chester County due to deterioration in its structure.  We are petitioning to have the bridge rehabilitated rather than replaced by a two-lane wide modern structure.

Rehabilitation is a prefered option for the following reasons:

- It is the fastest way to get the bridge back in service, potentially by Fall for the reopening of school

- It saves taxpayer dollars.  The cost to taxpayers of replacing the bridge is approximately $2.5 million, the cost of rehabilitating the bridge is approximately $500,000.

- It would preserve this historial structure that is an integral part of the Red Clay Valley Byway and the Red Clay Historic District, while protecting the sensitive ecological habitat surrounding the bridge that supports a great number of native plant species and countless wildlife species, and includes an ideal habitat for the Federally Endangered bog turtle.

- Maintain safety for pedestrians and cyclists and wildlife that could potentially be compromised by the increased traffic of a two-lane bridge.

Rehabilitating the bridge will cost less than a quarter of the costs for demolition and installation of a two-lane bridge.  Therefore, a rehabilitation of the bridge is in the best interest of taxpayers and residents of the area who will be dearly affected by the County's decision to replace the bridge.