Safety concerns: 

1. After river recedes, river deposits mud/silt on surface of bridge and becomes very slippery.
2. There is no ledge to allow users to visually acquire the edge of the bridge when water is at bridge level.
3. No handrails.
4. If user falls upstream, there are metal stakes at head level capable of impaling them.
5. If user falls downward, they could hit their head on side of bridge or most likely, on concrete supports that extend outwards.
6. If user falls downstream, flow is capable of taking the user into the river. (See video in Facebook comments)
7. I was also able to access this location without passing any warning signs or gates for closure.

Following the accident which occurred on 31 January 2024 in the jurisdiction of Troy Ohio which resulted in the drowning death of 14 year old minor Ellie Carder, we propose an infrastructural improvement for the purpose of community safety. During circumstantial elevated river levels on the Great Miami River above 4ft, the low walking bridge immediately north of State Route 41 on the east side of the river which crosses a tributary will become flooded. During times of river levels between 4ft and 5ft, the water on the bridge obscures vision of the edge of the bridge and is low enough for users to attempt crossing. With these circumstances and no hand rails, this bridge is a hazard to all users and has proven to have the potential for loss of life to community members. We propose an improvement or replacement to this bridge immediately to prevent further loss of life.