In our continuing series of LIVE
broadcasts in the community, WEEU wanted to help raise awareness about the importance of rebuilding
the Angelica Dam/State Route 10 bridge and planning future use for the park.
About a year ago, a severe storm destroyed the bridge. The
bridge was scheduled to be repaired in 2002, and
PENNDOT did actually get the job done in 2003. Many of the region's
top government officials and PennDot representatives stopped by to offer comments and
plans!
(Photo above: The
lake is gone, only the stream remains. Should the lake
be restored or should a dry land park be built in its
place?)
(Photo above:
The bridge connects a very short span of
route 10, but since it's gone, the detours have been bemoaned
by some as "cumbersome" and "hurtful to local
business.")
(Photo
above: A couple of youngsters brought their WEE-U Bear to the
site of the bridge.)
(Photo
above: Representative Tom Caltagirone discusses the issues
with WEEU's Charlie Adams.)
(Photo
above: Pennsylvania State Senator Mike O'Pake
"officially" crosses Route 10 off of the map since it was no longer passable in the area of the washed out bridge.)
(Photos
above & below: Senator O'Pake joins Charlie and other
folks in singing "The Bridge Is Broken.")
(Photo
above: Penn DOT Representative Tricia Charlesworthy
explains a few of the reasons why the bridge's rebuilding would take
more time.)
(Photo
above: Penn DOT Assistant District Engineer Don Lerch joins the discussion.)
(Photo
above: Then City of Reading Mayor Joe Eppiheimer explains his
opinions, ideas and concerns to Penn DOT's Tricia Charlesworthy.)
(Photo
above: Then Mayor Eppiheimer tells Charlie and the audience
that his goal is to have the bridge rebuilt as soon as possible and
restore the dam, lake and park to its original beauty.)
(Photo
above: Kevin Poole and area business owner Debra Wimmer
stopped by to offer ideas and opinions.)
(Photo
above: Representative Sam Rohrer came and offered
insight. He also lent his voice to sing "The Bridge Is
Closed.")
(Photo
above: A side issue in the area is the "stench"
from the sewage treatment plant on "Fritz's Island. One very
kind listener brought Charlie a stench reduction kit which included
a WEEU Clothespin and a large spray can of Vanilla Scent!)
SOUND CLIPS FROM THE BROADCAST!
(Click
on any of the cuts below to listen.)
Cut
#1:
PA State
Senator Mike O'Pake discusses the timeframe for the rebuilding of
the bridge.
Cut
#2:
PA State
Senator Mike O'Pake discusses the availability of funds for the
project.
Cut
#3:
PennDOT
Assistant District Engineer, Don Lerch, discusses the bridge design
and engineering reasons for the rebuilding delay.
Cut
#4:
George
Ruth- President of Offset Impressions discusses the impact
of the bridge closure and repair delays.
Cut
#5:
Tim
Kirschner of Alvernia College discusses why it is important to get
involved.
WEEU
thanks Zepco Auto Body, Offset Impressions, Alvernia College and
HealthSouth-Reading Rehabilitation Hospital for co-sponsoring the
live broadcast.
United
We Stand!
34 North Fourth Street, Reading, PA 19601
Phone: 610-376-7335 Fax: 610-376-7756
E-mail: weeu@weeu.com
