Pontier (file) - no "comprehensive or comparative discussion"

POND EDDY – The Upper Delaware Scenic Byway’s representative on the Pond Eddy Bridge Design Advisory Committee has resigned over the controversy concerning construction of a new Pond Eddy Bridge over the Delaware River.

The Byway group supports rehabilitating the existing historic bridge while plans are in the works to tear it down and build a new structure. Congressman Maurice Hinchey also supports rehabbing the existing bridge.

Glenn Pontier resigned saying the firm leading the design exercise for Pennsylvania Department of Transportation “did not allow bridge restoration to be part of a comprehensive or comparative discussion.”

Pontier said if Pennsylvania believes the few residents of Pond Eddy, PA should receive services that everyone in the state are entitled to, they should provide them. “Pennsylvania should not destroy a nationally recognized bridge, threaten the Delaware River and ask the citizens of New York to pay half the cost,” he said.

The UDSB named Town of Highland Alternate Carol Roig as the organization’s new delegate to the Design Advisory Committee.

The PennDOT Bridge Design Advisory Committee meets again Thursday evening.