January 7th, 2021 by WCBC Radio
For the first time publicly, the term eminent domain has been used in discussing possible options for replacing the Washington Street bridge. Located in the city’s historic district, the Washington Street bridge is one of three aging bridges on the city’s West Side that span CSX Transportation railroad lines. In 2012, the two-lane span was reduced to one lane after structural issues were discovered during an inspection. A train strike in August 2017 closed the bridge indefinitely. Washington is by far the most difficult of the three West Side bridges to replace- with CSX seeking the bridge be raised from 18 to nearly 22-feet. That would require 11-foot retaining walls and the removal of several historic properties. Cumberland Mayor Ray Morriss acknowledged that those requirements have created some challenges…
The mayor said he would not be opposed to using eminent domain to eliminate some structures in order to move forward with what he views as a significant transportation project…
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