Local Petition Asks for New Keim Street Bridge

The shuttered Keim Street Bridge that no longer connects Pottstown to North Coventry has drawn the attention of North Coventry business owners, who have gathered almost 3,000 signatures for a petition asking for a new bridge, according to The Mercury.

According to Beth Werner, owner of the Good Dogs Spa & Studio in the Highland Center where Route 724 comes to South Keim Street, people want a bridge there.

People have signed the petition at her store, as well as other local businesses.

Werner aid that she started the movement in January, and it has a Facebook page.

The bridge was closed in 2010 after it was deemed not to be safe.

The $156 million capital budget adopted by the Montgomery County Commissioners in 2013 includes the bridge.

Werner’s petition asks for a new bridge to be constructed but fixing the pre-existing bridge would be acceptable for her, too.

“I mean look how quickly they replaced the High Street Bridge in Pottstown,” she said. “Why can’t they just fix it?”

Jessica Willingham, the Montgomery County Commissioners Office public relations coordinator, recently replied to an email request from The Mercury, writing: “The county is in the historic review stage with PennDOT and the local stakeholders to see if the bridge can be rehabbed or if it needs to be totally replaced.”

The petition can be signed at the shops in Highland Center. Those who want to obtain signatures can contact Werner via phone at 610-323-1778 or email via <groomme@gooddogsspaandstudio.com>.