I think this bridge is fine, as long as people take turns going over it. Could signage clearly convey this? Some people just charge ahead while I am already on the narrow bridge. There are so many drivers who are ignorant of traffic laws/rules or are just too rude too care.

The bridge did have signage stating it was a one vehicle at a time bridge before it was fixed 2 years ago.
The bridge is fine it is the people that try to speed over it or not stop at the stop signs before it that need the fixing.

I go over this bridge several times a week, and although narrow and a little "bumpy", I don't believe it's unsafe. Anyone call the city on this to see if they can put nice new bright and clear signage on both sides? Might promote the one car at a time thing.

I have been going over this bridge daily for almost 30 years,
And as said above, the only thing wrong with it is people that don't stop and wait for the other vehicles to go before they fly accrossed it....

We do need a sign there that states..... " ONE VEHICLE AT A TIME.....

That's funny that you all say there is nothing wrong with the bridge because recently I drove over the bridge and there was a piece of wood with a nail popping up, thankfully I didn't run it over. But it was not the first time I have seen that. I avoid it as much as possible. And about the sign, even when there were signs there, people still would try to squeeze by you while you were going over the bridge. I think you all just do not want the inconvenience of driving another way, but it would be better in the long run...

the bridge is falling apart it needs to be fixed

The sign was taken down for a reason. The bridge was inspected a couple years ago as someone above mentioned. It was determined that it can handle two cars at the same time. I believe the residents wanted it looked at for just this purpose to stop any traffic from needlessly building up. Nails sticking up has nothing to do with the weight capacity. I will continue to legally cross the bridge after coming to a stop at the sign. If it is reinspected and found to be deficient enough and a new sign posted then thats a different story. If you are so scared that you can not make a legal crossing without freaking out and losing control when a car passes by at 10 mph you need to find another route or better yet get off the road, you are clearly no longer fit to drive any more.

Thumbs Up to needless worry

Well I guess if people actually did go 10mph over the bridge then it wouldn't be a problem. AND I'm sorry that I don't like nails popping up out of old boards and making me get a flat. There is no reason to get so rude and tell people to get off the road because they have a concern and we are not fit to drive. This is here to voice concerns, so if it's not your concern then move on...

for people that have to walk across this bridge it is very unsafe

this bridge is old and maybe it should be replaced but it can handle two cars at a time i am sick of every time i go over it and someone that does not know how to drive trys to drive in the middle there is enough room for two hummers to make it at the same time if u feel the need to drive in the middle may be you should take butternut or middlefeild st and go around not yell at people when then come on the bridge when your on it

Yes, there are frequently nails that stick up above the wooden planks: this is an issue with wood and nails and weather the world over. I live in the area of this bridge and would like to add that in addition to the issues mentioned by drivers this bridge is unpopular with non-drivers as well because it lacks a sidewalk. In order to get to Washington street persons living in the region of Butternut Hollow Park including many seniors and persons with disabilities who cannot drive must chose one of two options. A: cross this bridge thereby slowing traffic and hope drivers will understand enough to slow down. Or else B: walk all the way up not the much safer Butternut Street which is steep, often buried several feet in snow along the sides during winter months, and which doesn’t have a sidewalk along the entire length. Then choosing option B, they must navigate to the pharmacies or shopping areas closest to where we all live along a very dangerous stretch of Washington Street: first around a nearly blind hillside at the junction of Butternut and Washington also lacking a sidewalk and just after unfamiliar drivers have been distracted by passing under an old railway bridge. Many times I have ridden along with persons whom have missed the Butternut turnoff completely because of the distracting bridge, the obstructing hill, and the extremely inconspicuous sign. If a pedestrian makes it past all this, they will still have to make several more troublesome crossings with not only streets at varying angles but also cars pulling out of local business parking lots all along Washington. The speed of cars is much, much, greater along option B, the drivers are generally a lot more distracted and less alert for pedestrians, that combined with the steepness of the hill and the significant length added to the journey is why almost everyone whom is forced to choose, picks option A. It is just safer for all those whom value their lives above the objections of drivers. For those whom have never had to live without a car the buses will not journey anywhere near the Butternut Hollow Park neighborhoods on Sunday, nor Saturday after 5pm, nor Weekdays after 6pm, nor on holidays when bus service suspends… Cost of the bus are $0.60 and $1.25 one way, and add up for persons whom cannot afford a $36 dollar unlimited pass on disability incomes with other expenses. Cabs are of course much steeper and out of the range of many persons whom make six hundred some odd dollars a month on disability, and have to pay for utilities, food, sundries, over the counter medical products, rent etc. I have seen multiple neighbors make this crossing, one of whom uses a motorized wheelchair, another whom often uses a walker. Safe crossing depends upon cooperation from drivers, most of who react as though the road is temporarily a single lane, occasionally a rude driver will attempt to pass with both a person and a vehicle on the other side endangering everyone should either car attempt an unsafe speed or maneuver. If ever a drunk driver comes down this road while someone with mobility impairment is attempting to cross it: I hate to think what would happen. This is an ADA accessibility issue. It will cost much less to fix this bridge along option A than to install the sidewalks, dig out the hill, and raise the railway bridge just for starters along option B assuming you are fit enough to climb that hill. Also Middletown should resolve the issues caused when Snowplows clear roads for drivers by dumping the snow on sidewalks all over the city to accommodate those whom for environmental economical and disability concerns must walk in the road when the city blocks our sidewalks and roadsides every winter with treacherous ice that is a fall hazard or else fresh plowed snow up to or passing your knees. It takes very little snow on the road to kill the much smaller square footage of the sidewalk.

The bridge is fine I drive over it daily....... And I have for 25 years...

if you practice safe driving habbits you will have no issue crossing the bridge

You are right, it is perfectly safe to drive over every day....we get it!! BUT what everyone is saying here, is that it could be better. For those who do not want to ruin their tires by nails (if you drive over this bridge every day you have to admit seeing boards and nails popping up), or for those who would like to walk over the bridge, it's not that great. It would be nice if it could be widened and possibly have them tar it. Thank you

two vehicles can cross at same time
no signs say otherwise
just stop then proceed
move on
:)

It is a beautiful bridge. Those using manners and a bit of courtesy enjoy the custom of waiting for a car to cross.

The amount of traffic over the bridge would probably be the only arguement you can make that they need to replace the bridge with a wider more sound bridge. Unfortunately for now, that is what we have. It is a two way bridge. Just stop at the stop sign and stop being so afraid to cross it with another vehicle on it. If you know how to drive, it should not be that big of a deal.

Pass over the bridge every day and have no issues, but everyone is in such a hurry to get no where fast, and the traffic has increased because of the construction on Washington st.It does need a walk way for people to cross, many seniors use it to get to the stores on the other side. Thats my only concern.

It's a non-issue.