Blair County Commissioners discuss bridge demolition; creation of trail authority

BLAIR COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) — The Blair County Commissioners met on Tuesday to discuss various motions and potentially add new projects.

The meeting covered over topics, such as a potential decision on the Jugtown Bridge and the creation of the Blair County Trail and Recreation Authority. Other topics included the Magisterial District Court applying for a $25,000 grant to improve their distress alarm systems.

The meeting started with the consent agenda approving any additions and subtractions from staff and any ratifications left on the table. Other topics had prison changes approved and a permit signed for the Chappel Road Bridge in Juniata Township.

The Jugtown Bridge

The commissioners discussed the Jugtown Bridge in Freedom Township to decide whether to repair or replace the bridge in total. The project would see Bridge 73 replaced with a cul-de-sac heading into Mountain Road.

Costs of the project would have the cul-de-sac solution at $37,000, compared to $170,000 for repairing the bridge. Residents voiced their concerns back in November of 2023 about removing the bridge.

Commissioner Amy Webster favored the cul-de-sac option.

After a discussion, the commissioners tabled the discussion due to the lack of a funding resolution.

“Unfortunately, it can’t quite deal with the traffic that we have today. So a new bridge would not have a place for people to walk and it would not only be a one lane,” Webster said.

Blair County Trail and Recreation Authority

Blair County is looking to create a new organization to help with outdoor recreation. The group would be in charge of projects involving the seven trails in Blair County.

The County Commissioners feel that adding the committee would put them on par with the rest of their neighboring counties.

“It’s clear that our surrounding counties are doing a lot in this area that we are a little bit behind on,” Laura Burke, Blair County Commissioner said. “And I think we all have a desire to catch up to them.”

They tabled the discussion to go over the logistics of the trail authority.

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Magisterial District Judges Office Alarm Grant

The Commissioners finished the meeting going over old business by approving a motion to apply for a $25,000 grant for new distress alarm systems for the Magisterial District Judges’ office.

The old systems started to have issues working, prompting the change of the panic button. The new system from SecureTech Systems Inc. would help alert the police in an emergency, even Pennsylvania State Police if no local officers can take the call.

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