The City Council spent well over an hour discussing and hearing comments on the Camp Street Bridge Project during the City Council meeting held on Tuesday, February 19th.  On the City Council's agenda for Tuesday were a number of ordinances related to the preparation for the project.  Passage of the ordinances would give way for a subsequent approval of the project itself at a later meeting.

 

A number of Washington, Missouri residents, primarily representing the neighborhoods adjoining the Camp Street bridge location, voiced their objections to the project.  The residents' comments were most focused on several concerns: additional traffic flow through the neighborhoods, impact to neighborhood property values, and how resconstructing the bridge may eventually lead to the opening of the gate on A. Roy Drive.

The City Council and Mayor listened to the citizens concerns and responded to questions as they were posed.  Also answering questions were Police Chief Hahn and Darren Lamb, Planning/Zoning Director.  Mayor Stratman requested that Fire Chief Halmich give his perspective as Fire Chief.  Chief Halmich indicated that reconstruction of the bridge would improve the Department's ability to respond to calls to the area and would better position the Department for future growth.  Chief Halmich referenced an upcoming need for an additional station in the east and southeast part of the city, where new residential growth is occuring and a new high school is planned.