Closed Amherst pedestrian bridge could create dangerous situation

It’s been about a week since the Town of Amherst shutdown the pedestrian bridge on the Tonawanda Creek Canal Trailway.

Amherst Superintendent of Highways, Patrick Lucey said the 40-year-old bridge is too dangerous to use. Replacing the bridge would cost upwards of $300,000 and that’s not in the town’s budget for this year. 

“We're hoping we can apply for some grant money that would help us out,” Lucey said. 

Walkers and bicyclists are taking the trail to the bridge and getting on the narrow Tonawanda Creek Road Bridge to cross ransom creek and get to the other side of the trail. 

Meanwhile Lucey is concerned about people getting hit while sharing the narrow bridge with cars. 

“We would not want people up on there unless there is some type of divider/barrier keeping people away from the traffic,” Lucey said. 

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