June 21st, 2019 by WCBC Radio

Now that the engineering studies are complete- Cumberland officials have scheduled a meeting  with CSX Transportation representatives to review design options for two new West Side bridges- and begin mapping out a long term replacement strategy.  The meeting, set for July 18^th, will be  closed to the public as it centers on contract negotiations. The focus will be on the Fayette Street and Washington Street bridges. Those bridges, in addition to the Cumberland Street bridge, have been closed for several months due to their deteriorating conditions which have left them unsafe for travel.  Mayor Ray Morriss, speaking on WCBC’s “Dave Norman Show” Thursday provided his “unofficial” estimate for seeing all three bridges replaced…

Regular monthly meetings took place late year between city and CSX officials, but were discontinued at one point  to allow for alternative bridge design studies to be compiled by consultants. As a results of an ethics commission opinion earlier this year- Morriss or City Councilman Eugene Frazier are not permitted in negotiations due to the appearance of conflict of interest as both men are retired from CSX. The mayor hopes that will change…