The image above is the CSX bridge on Washington Street in Cumberland Maryland. That bridge and the Cumberland Street bridge are 2 CSX bridges in town that are in desperate need of repair. Our City Council has been unable or unwilling to enforce the duty of CSX to maintain the bridges they own in our community.

The state of disrepair of the bridges create:

• Several public safety issues that affect pedestrians, vehicles, and emergency vehicles.
  
• The serve as shining beacon to anyone considering bringing jobs to Cumberland that our local government is proven ineffective in attending to one of the most basic responsibilities delegated to it: PUBLIC SAFETY!
  
• The disrepair given businesses and individuals who already are located in Cumberland ample reason to consider relocating to another area!
  

The City Council has expended more time, effort, and financial resources into proposals to modify the Baltimore Street walking mall, which is functioning in a way that does not present public safety issues. In doing so they have left this major public safety issue continue to worsen. I can’t imagine how they have prioritized there in the way they have. I do know it has to change and it must change soon before their priorities cause loss of human life.