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James and Russell Anderson cross a swollen Craig Creek in a john boat--their only recourse due to the rains and the closing of the swinging bridge.

Russell Anderson has a farm in Oriskany on the wrong side of the creek it seems. "When it rains it pours." said Anderson referring to the creek, the recent rains and Brahma Road a state maintained road which is forded to get over to the main road on one side and on the other, to the Anderson farm and six other properties. Plus there are two family cemeteries on the same side as Anderson's Farm. Right now, the water is about 8 inches too high to get a tractor across and no way a car could cross, he said. He hasn't been able to get across to plant corn on a farm he rents and soon it will be too late.

Normally for the folks in this rural area of Botetourt, there are a number of state maintained swinging bridges that cross the creek from what locals call the "park and walk." The residents park the car on one side of the creek and use the bridge to get across.

Therein lies the problem. VDOT on a routine inspection of the bridge in April that provides at least foot access to the seven properties found something amiss. "They brought in a backhoe and well the result of the digging caused the bridge to shift to an unsafe degree. They have no money to fix the bridge and now after sixty one years I am privy to of maintaining the swinging bridge," said Anderson, "They say it isn't their responsibility even if  they did periodically inspect it, dug around it with the backhoe and caused the problem, it is no longer their problem." said an upset Anderson. His only way across the swollen creek is by a John boat and a rope. He cannot use a paddle because of the stiff current.

The closed swinging bridge and Russell Anderson a farmer in Oriskany.

Jason Bond, public relations in the Salem Office had this to say on behalf of VDOT in an email concerning the problem:

"The pedestrian bridge in Oriskany was closed on April 30. The bridge serves one property owner. When the stream is down, it can be forded and people can reach the cemeteries on the other side. According to the records VDOT has been able to find, the bridge appears to be located on private property.

This bridge was replaced in 1986 due to flood damage. While we do not have written records detailing this replacement, VDOT assumed that the entire structure was replaced at that time including all of the
foundation.

However, a recent inspection revealed that the bridge foundation on the side of the stream where the road dead ends was not replaced along with the rest of the structure. More than likely, with all the extensive
flood damage in 1986, road repairers tried to save time and money. They likely salvaged that side of the foundation because it was not damaged in the flood.

In a cable suspension bridge like this one, the cables connect to concrete blocks that are buried beneath the ground on each side of the bridge. These blocks are typically solid concrete and rarely, if ever,
need to be replaced. It can be very difficult to replace these blocks and keep tension on the cables to swap them out.

In typical suspension bridge construction, these blocks tend to be made out of solid concrete. However, the original bridge foundation in this case is made of rocks that are grouted together and according to Mr.
Anderson, a chestnut tree was also included in the foundation when it was built. When the bridge was replaced in 1986, there was no reason to suspect that the remaining block was not solid concrete.

The bridge was built prior to 1932. This means that the bridge foundation on that side of the stream is more than 75 years old and not made of solid concrete. The bridge foundation is old, and in bad shape,so it is no longer safe to keep the bridge open.Currently, there are no funds available to replace the bridge. Once
again, when it comes to transportation funding, there are more needs than funds available. Engineers estimate that the bridge foundation will cost more than $30,000 to replace."

Apparently VDOT didn't know who the other property owners are but they include another Anderson, James, a brother of Russell and five other owners who use their properties during the summer and holidays. "Most recently," said Anderson, "They came for Memorial Day weekend." The issue is a public safety concern because if Anderson or any of the other owners are ill, injured or fire breaks out, local fire and rescue from Oriskany, New Castle or Eagle Rock will be unable to ford the creek due to high water, the swinging bridge is closed and the only way across is pictured above. A row boat and rope and fast moving water. One slip of the rope or the hand and the boat gets away.

The Botetourt View contacted Don Meredith, Fincastle Supervisor, which Anderson said he had done and was told there's no money. Meredith has yet to return the phone call. Anderson said he had received little satisfaction. "I am just a farmer over here in rural Botetourt. I can't take my cattle to market, go across to plant my corn and I tell you getting that boat across isn't easy. I pay taxes that I am told don't go to roads. I guess I am up a creek."