Harrisburg Day Trip Energizes Viaduct Supporters!

Posing in the Grand Rotunda!

Father Jerry Priscaro.

Over three dozen children, teens and adults enjoyed a wonderful trip to the State Capitol on Monday, March 12th with live music provided by St. Stephen! In the over-live-size portrait of Monsignor McBride by Luke Gehring (top right) the beloved former pastor of St. Ann's church is pictured holding the McBride Viaduct in his arms.

Father Jerry, the pastor at St. Ann's Church, sends the group off with a prayer, a blessing and Holy Water at 6:00am!

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Four adorable reasons to save the McBride Viaduct!  The Clark grandkids were a happy, lively crew.

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Heading into our capitol.

New York Times publishes front page story about Erie, PA residents who rely on the McBride Viaduct bridge.

Northend of Erie's McBride Viaduct at East 12th and East Ave. photographed by Damon Winter in The New York Times story by Michael Kimmelman, "In Erie, One City Block is a Trek of Disrespect."

The New York Times put the Erie, PA controversy surrounding the McBride Viaduct on it's front page, March 12, 2018. Supporters of keeping the bridge are troubled by Mayor Joe Schember's hasty reversal of his agreement to permit a Public Hearing about the Viaduct, and his aggressive adoption of the misguided plan by traffic engineers: demolish the Viaduct and force impoverished residents to walk and bike along the 4-lane arterial highway, Rt. 290 - the "Bayfront Connector." 

Reporter Michael Kimmelman, in his story "In Erie, One City Block is a Trek of Disrespect" notes that the fate of the McBride Viaduct "has focused a particular spotlight on Erie's legacy of disenfranchisement and its troubled race relations." He commented that "City Hall is perceived by many black residents as an enclave of white privilege" and reported that of 173 police officers, only eight are minorities. City Hall's policy of "demolition by neglect" has not curtailed the use of the bridge over the railroad that was described by one resident as "the safest, shortest route."

If the Viaduct is demolished, another parking lot will be created and residents will be forced to a longer, louder, unhealthier and more dangerous path along a four-lane arterial highway. Kimmelman interview NAACP chapter president Gary Horton who said "The viaduct doesn't seem important to people in City Hall. But for people looking to get ahead... it's about hope."

The issues surrounded the Viaduct are layered and complex, but for ErieCPR Vice-President, it is simple -  "it's about the kids."  He says that "older people with cars don't need the bridge" but that the community must rally together and "save the bridge" for the children - "for our future".

Viaduct Supporters Continue to Advocate for Public Hearing

Viaduct supporters enjoying music, art and donuts on the bridge Saturday, March 3.

Local news stations, Your Erie and Erie News Now, covered the ErieCPR's and Civitas' festive art and music gathering on the McBride Viaduct on Saturday morning from 10am to noon. Edinboro alumnus Jeff Brunner, a Pittsburgh Hey Beast illustrator, shared a coloring-book-page featuring many Viaduct users including shoppers, teens, a  bike rider, a fisherman, a metal recycler and someone walking a dog. Local musician St. Stephen kept the energy going with keyboards, harmonica and guitar. Rapper Jae Law transformed Julie VonVolkenburg's song, "Save Your East Avenue Bridge" by using his own beats on the words. 

Viaduct Art Event by Hey Beast Saturday March 3

Pittsburgh illustrator, Jeff Brunner of Hey Beast, will lead a free art event geared to children on Saturday, March 3 from 10am to 12noon.

Information will be available regarding the the civil rights, social and environmental justice issues surrounding the decision-making process that has led to the plan to demolish a key #EastErie artery - the McBride Viaduct bridge on East Ave. Bring a folding chair.

Enjoy donuts, coffee and art-making. Tour the Viaduct! Parking available.

Architect Adam Trott Challenges "Alarmist" Statements by Local Engineer

In January, architect Adam Trott, president of ErieCPR, outlined a $1.35M repair plan for the Viaduct to be funded by PennDOT (1.26M) and the City ($72,000) leaving a $20,000 balance to be covered by grants and donations. An additional $5,000 will be raised by CPR each year to cover maintenance costs. Trott’s plan remedies the cause of the deterioration by cleaning and repairing the storm drains. Trott then proposes to remove any damaged concrete from the piers and underdeck and to seal the surface. Filling the potholes on the deck will conclude this stabilization of the Viaduct.

In early February, engineer Hank Graygo P.E. wrote a letter, shared by Mayor Schember, stating that Trott’s proposed “deck surface patch is only a cosmetic treatment of the symptoms” (implying that, if filled, the pot-holes will reoccur). Graygo overlooks the fact that, by removing the causes of the potholes (vehicles and water backing up from the storm drains), the “cosmetic” filling of the pot holes is a completely functional solution.

In validation of Trott’s observations, Graygo noted that there is “water within the space between rebar and outside face of support structure.” And, as Trott has explained, Graygo agrees that “continued deterioration will accelerate with each freeze-thaw cycle.”  With continued lack of maintenance, concrete will continue to “separate from the steel, and allow the steel to deteriorate.” However, Trott’s repairs will end the deterioration, remove spalling concrete and compromised rebar, and replace and seal needed rebar and coat with a sealant for protection until such a time as cosmetic repairs can be grant-funded.  

Hank Graygo mistakenly reported that any repairs to the Viaduct would initiate an ADA requirement to lower the Viaduct’s 6% slope. While new build projects do require a 5% slope, the Viaduct is “grandfathered-in”.  

Hank Graygo inaccurately claims that repairing the Viaduct for continued pedestrian and bike use will require the complete overhaul of the deck for vehicular traffic. Since the CPR plan is for non-vehicular use, Graygo’s statement, is irrelevant to the CPR plan.

Hank Graygo rendered his “engineering judgement” saying the Viaduct “poses an inherent safety hazard to both people and property and should not be used.” But, the Viaduct doesn’t pose a safety hazard; instead the City has allowed it to remain open on the span for expanded pedestrian and bike use (and open below for parking) since the deck was closed to vehicles in 2010.

Graygo dramatically states that the “ability to allow public safety vehicles” on the bridge is “non-existent.” But, late last year, City fire trucks, loaded with water, worked from atop the Viaduct as they successfully fought a blaze in an East Avenue warehouse. This City action utilizing the Viaduct for emergency vehicles directly contradicts Graygo’s claim.

Two Erie firetrucks like these drove onto Viaduct in November 2017.

Trott responded that Graygo’s brief letter noting “Graygo’s position of not letting anyone on the bridge is overly alarmist, and I don't blame him for being overly cautious.  He is a licensed P.E. with his liability on the line, and I believe he is doing this pro-bono.  Graygo is not going to be anything less than the most Conservative in his opinion.” 

Trott reports that, “at no time has the City or PennDOT taken action that supports Hank Graygo's insinuation that the bridge could possibly be on the verge of imminent failure.  He simply says basically to stay off it until more investigation is done.  I also take my professional registration seriously and certainly don't intend to risk anyone's safety by suggesting something other than what I have the utmost confidence in stating.  Bridges like this are being repaired all the time, not demolished.”  

Trott explains that Graygo’s letter “is less alarming when you actually dissect his technical description of what is happening.  Graygo noticeably avoids saying the bridge will fall down at any time.  Instead he raises alarms through innuendo, and then makes a grand safe statement.  Hank Graygo's description is nothing different from what I've said and presented publicly regarding the bridge's condition.  Graygo tries to make it sound more distressful than what it is.”

Trott clarifies, “Technically, water has gotten between the outer rebar and the outermost concrete, that's all.  It has spalled some of the concrete and it has eroded very limited patches of rebar.  Graygo never claims the rebar erosion is enough to cause imminent structural failure.  I agree we should splice some of the extreme eroded rebar examples before patching the concrete overtop, but they are very limited in their occurrence.  Graygo’s photo of the "crack" is another instance of only outer concrete skin spalling, not that the beam itself is cracking all the way through and compromised (but he lets you assume such).  An untrained eye could read Graygo’s description differently if you don't understand the technical conditions.”

Trott notes that, in his opinion, Graygo also “incorrectly suggests that highway grade vehicle loading capacity is required for this bridge, even though we are reducing its loading to only bikes and pedestrians - not highway vehicles.  This fundamental misunderstanding of the bridge's structural requirements to function under its new use is at the core of the PennDOT misfire on what the bridge needs for repairs.” 

Trott summarized “I disagree with Graygo’s stern worded comment that my suggested work plan neither stabilizes nor renders the structure safe.  Graygo’s premise is wrong to begin with - the structure is not unsafe now.  Its only spalling skin, and my work plan stabilizes the structure's skin from popping off any more pieces.  The structure is intact.” 

Trott concluded, “This has become an interesting community debate, but I stand firm on my understanding of the actual conditions.  The City and PennDOT's lack of drastic action only affirms my position. We need that public hearing.”   

Mayor Schember (Ignoring Facts) Repeats Misinformation

YourErie.com / JetTV's Ron Hilliard reports: ERIE, Pa. -- Mayor Joe Schember reiterated his stance on the McBride Viaduct after listening to residents speak in support of it on Wednesday.

There was a sea of people wearing orange safety vests during the Erie City Council meeting. They were in support of keeping the viaduct standing.

Council president Sonya Arrington and councilmembers Liz Allen and Kathleen Schaaf had supported holding a public hearing, but it was ultimately voted down earlier this month.  

On Feb. 7, Erie City Council approved a resolution 4-3 for the city to sign off on the nearly $1.5 million demolition contract with Swank Construction Company, based in New Kensington, Penn. About $300,000 of that amount would go toward sidewalk construction, crosswalk improvements and signal work at East 12 Street and the Bayfront Connector.

After having multiple discussions with those in favor of demolishing the viaduct and those who support saving it, Erie Mayor Joe Schember maintains that tearing down the deteriorated viaduct is the most feasible option.

He said, “The McBride Viaduct is structurally deficient, unsafe, functionally obsolete and redundant.”

ERIE CPR president Adam Trott said, “He recedes back into his cabal of bad advice and he comes out and says these things that are ridiculous. They’re absolutely ridiculous. So, that’s why we need the public hearing. We need to help him understand what’s really going on here."

The mayor responded to the claims that his facts are wrong.

"There’s probably misinformation on both sides to be honest, but I believe my decision is based on what are the true facts and the bottom line: what’s best for Erie in the long-term," he said.

The McBride Viaduct was closed in 2010 after it was deemed unsafe. ERIE CPR has said that deterioration of the bridge’s deck and piers are products of neglect and improper maintenance.

Schember said the planned demolition is a done deal, but Erie CPR plans to take their concerns to Harrisburg next month.
 

Viaduct Supporters Continue Push for Public Hearing

The Feb. 21 City Council meeting was packed with residents calling for the first PUBLIC HEARING about the McBride Viaduct. As a candidate in 2017, Mayor Schember said he would "not object" to a public hearing, and, City Council also agreed to hold a Public Hearing. But, both Schember, and some members of Council reversed their position in 2018. 

Erie News Now's Andrew Hyman reports: Wednesday night, supporters of the McBride Viaduct continued their push for a public hearing. And they're accusing Mayor Schember of receiving bad information.

The decision was made by city council on Feb 7. to demolish the structure. Despite the decision, members of Erie Connect + Respect are still not backing down. And are continuing to push for a public hearing. Both the organization, and the mayor, made themselves heard yet again Wednesday evening.

Supporters of the viaduct continue to stress the city, and the mayor are misguided in their decision to tear it down. With many arguing that the mayor has received false information regarding the cost of repairs and maintenance versus the outright demolition.

Erie CPR President Adam Trott argued that engineering reports given to his organization are "alarmist" in nature, and do not accurately reflect the current state of the structure. Trott says a public hearing is still badly needed as he feels the city has not adequately listened to the organization’s arguments.

Mayor Schember was given time to reaffirm his views on the demolition, stating that while he respects the passion of supporters, the decision is final, and he believes the city has heard all they needed to hear, as they look forward to beyond this project.

"His meetings with us, he never listens, he was attending, he was present, but that's so different from listening. “ Trott said “He didn't and he comes out, and he says things that are so wrong, that we debunked over and over again." 

"I respect people that disagree with me, and I’ve talked with many of the members of CPR for instance, and we've said we'll work together on other things. “ Schember said “But, at least, one-on -one, we're respect the fact we got a different position on this, we're not going to agree on it. There's other important things we need to work on, and that's the most important thing to me. And we gotta have a mutual respect, we've gotta listen to each other, and we gotta move forward."

Trott tells Erie News Now that in spite of city's decision, he and Erie CPR remain hopeful that they will earn the opportunity to have a public hearing.

Only $1.35M is needed to stabilize the Viaduct!

Saving the Viaduct for non-vehicular use is just $1.35 million. PennDOT has confirmed that at least $1.26 million in Demolition-Offset funds may be used to fix the Viaduct. The City has already committed $72,000 to demolition, which can be transferred to fixing the Viaduct. Thus, a gap of only $20,000 remains. Annual cleaning of the storm drains would cost less than $5,000.

Doesn't Erie deserve a transparent, open dialogue about the City Engineer's and former Mayor Sinnott's decade old plan to spend over $2 million to demolish an irreplaceable, $15-20million dollar asset?  Shouldn't we, as a community, carefully consider all the risks before we allow our City to force Eastside school children and impoverished adults to walk, bike and push baby strollers along a Rt. 290, a longer, 4-lane arterial "Connector" highway (with noise, spray and a dangerous intersection)?

We have almost all the money needed to fix the bridge; now we need the political will to save the Viaduct.

You can help: come to the next City Council meeting at 7:30pm on Wednesday, Feb. 21; like and share our Facebook page: ErieCPR:Connect+Respect; contact Mayor Schember and let him know you want a PUBLIC HEARING about the Viaduct - (814)  870-1204  <JSchember@erie.pa.us>.

CALL TODAY: Merski, Kwitowski, Winarski & Witherspoon

City Council President Sonya Arrington's resolution to hold an Viaduct Public Hearing is on the Agenda for a vote at 9am Wed., Feb. 7. Mayor Schember has added three resolutions of his own to gain pre-authorization to demolish the #ErieViaduct. All three CouncilWOMEN support a hearing. PLEASE call all four Erie City CouncilMEN on their city-issued cellphones and ask them to support Arrington's resolution and to oppose (or table) the Mayor's resolutions written by the City Engineer (pre-authorizing demolition). If you can, please come to the meeting wearing red or orange. Show up. Bring the kids. If possible, come and demand a transparent, public discussion on the future of the McBride Viaduct.

Mayor Admits 50% $$$ "Misunderstanding"

Mayor Schember admits he was mistaken on the PennDOT numbers by 50%.

Jet TV interviews Mayor regarding his Administration's lack of understanding about the $1.26 million available to fix the McBride Viaduct using PennDOT's Demo-Offset funds. The Mayor's complete confusion about the actual condition of the bridge, the cost to repair, and the ease of obtaining the $1.35 million WITHOUT RASING TAXES underscores the unassailable logic of honoring his campaign agreement to allow a PUBLIC HEARING about the Viaduct. In this interview, after admitting his mistake, the Mayor goes on to say, without justification that demolishing the Viaduct is "the best thing for the Eastside." How about a simple follow up question: WHY?  And how about someone in the media posing this long question:

Mayor Schember, during the campaign you said you would not object to a Public Hearing and planned to have an open, transparent decision-making process. The author of Erie Refocused - the comprehensive plan you support - encouraged a pause in the demolition and a Public Hearing; many groups including the NAACP, the African American Concerned Clergy, Preservation Erie, Bike Erie, All Aboard Erie, the Sisters of Mercy, Keystone Progress, Erie County United and CIVITAS have called for a Public Hearing. PennDOT says you have until 2021 to use the funds to demolish or fix the bridge.

Mayor Schember, why are you ignoring the call for a Public Hearing?