HATFIELD, Ky. – The people who live on Thacker Road in Hatfield have been without a useable bridge since the floods of May and June 2009. The Federal Emergency Management Agency did not replace the washed out bridge and, as a result, the residents of Thacker Road have been isolated and nearly stranded for almost a year.

Last month, Pike County Judge-Executive Wayne T. Rutherford and District 6 Magistrate Chris Harris each sent a letter to B.D. Wilson, Commissioner of the Department of Rural and Municipal Aid of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, requesting emergency funds to assist in the repair of the bridge.

The letters stated that the bridge, which belongs to the county, was in deplorable condition prior to enduring the flood waters of May and June, and afterwards became unsafe. Rutherford and Harris asked for funds to replace or make the necessary repairs to the bridge. A letter from Wilson dated March 8 notified Rutherford that emergency funds in the amount of $39,600 are being processed.

“FEMA would not fund the bridge repair because of the bridge’s condition before the floods,” Rutherford said. “We appealed FEMA’s decision and was again denied.”

The Pike County Fiscal Court declared the situation an emergency and estimated the repair costs at $49,500. Thacker Road, County Road 1888, is home to several residents. One resident in particular voiced his concern with the condition of the bridge.

“We have to go down and use a neighbor’s bridge, then drive back up along the railroad,” Thacker Road resident Timothy Nickell said. “Most of the time I – as well as others who live on Thacker Road – just park across the street and walk across the bridge.”

Nickell said he leaves his work truck at his place of employment because it will not make it across the bridge.

“Garbage trucks won’t even try to make it across,” he said. “We have to carry our trash over to the other side so the trucks can pick it up. The bridge is just unusable.”

Nickell said Rick Green, Big Creek Fire Department Chief, wrote a letter to the state saying the bridge was too dangerous for his fire trucks to cross, thus inhibiting emergency services to the houses on Thacker Road.

Frank Hatcher, Pike County Road Commissioner, agrees the bridge is impassable and needs to be repaired or replaced.

“Something needs to be done,” he said. “It’s been an issue for a while now and I’m glad Commissioner Wilson is helping us on this one.”

Wilson requested that he be notified when the repairs are complete and given the total cost of the project.