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Fisher Street Bridge Public Information Session

Salisbury Public Works Director Chris Tester and Summit Design and Engineering Services, Inc., will provide an update on the future of the East Fisher Street Bridge with community stakeholders, Tuesday, Sept. 10, at 5:30 p.m. in Salisbury City Council Chambers, 217 S. Main St.

The East Fisher Street Bridge has been closed to vehicle traffic for more than two years as the bridge task force of various city staff collaborated on the best solution for the bridge’s future. The structure, one of five municipal bridges maintained by the city, is constructed mainly of timber, with steel I-beams spanning the railroad tracks. It is listed in a historic district of Salisbury, and inspected biannually by NCDOT to provide direction for required repairs.

City departments collaborating on the upcoming public information session include transportation, planning and neighborhoods, and Downtown Development. Following the session on Tuesday, Sept. 10, the task force will report to Salisbury City Council on its suggestion for the bridge’s future.

Contact Us

Have questions or concerns? Please contact the Public Works Department at (704) 638-5260 or ctest@salisburync.gov.

Frequesntly Asked Questions

Where is the East Fisher Street Bridge and what is its significance?

The East Fisher Street Bridge is located near the intersection of S. Lee and E. Fisher Street. It is one of the five municipal bridges maintained by the City of Salisbury, and only two wooden bridges in the city. The bridge is constructed mainly of timber, with steel I-beams spanning over the railroad tracks. It is listed in a historic district of Salisbury, and is inspected bi-annually by NCDOT to provide direction for required repairs.

Why did the East Fisher Street Bridge close to vehicle traffic?

Following its 2020 bi-annual inspection, significant deterioration of the steel I-beams became visible after removal of the bridge surface. To ensure public safety, city staff, including city engineers, closed the bridge until it could be inspected by consulting engineers for further analysis. The results indicated the total load rating (how much weight the bridge could bear) was only 4 tons – a rating deemed unsafe for vehicle traffic. The decision was made that the bridge would remain closed as planning and budgeting of needed repairs took place. Currently, crews are close to a recommendation to present to Salisbury City Council.

What is the cost to repair the bridge?

The initial 2022 estimate to repair the bridge to allow vehicle traffic was $800,000, although that did not include the cost to extend the bridge to Lee and Long Streets or take into account the loss of historic buildings and fixtures on either side of the bridge. At this time, the cost to repair the bridge and make the required structural changes would be cost-prohibitive.

What are the next steps regarding a decision on the East Fisher Street Bridge?

The City of Salisbury Public Works staff shared updates on the East Fisher Street Bridge with Salisbury City Council on Tuesday, April 19, 2022. At that time a task force consisting of various City departments was collaborating on the project to identify the best solution for the bridge.
Two years later, as the task force finalizes a potential plan of action, Public Works and Summit Design and Engineering Services, Inc., are scheduled to provide a recommendation update to City Council again in later September 2024. The presentation follows a public information session to neighbors, downtown stakeholders and residents.

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