Bridge over creek in limbo

Sisters has its own "bridge to nowhere," spanning Whychus Creek between the Timber Creek and Creekside subdivisions east of Sisters Elementary School. It's not so much that the bridge doesn't go anywhere - it's just that no one can use it. The approach roads have not been built.

"The holdup is that (Timber Creek developer) Bruce Forbes is responsible for finishing the bridge and building the approach roads," said City Manager Eileen Stein.

The city is pretty much helpless to get anything done. The development agreement between the city and Forbes is, according to Mayor Brad Boyd "toothless."

The development agreement was drafted years ago by then city planner Neil Thompson.

"I don't know why, but it didn't get vetted by the City Attorney and there's no teeth in it," Boyd said.

The agreement requires Forbes to finish the bridge before building permits are issued for Timber Creek Phase 6 - which Forbes no longer owns. Owner Taurus Homes also considers finishing the bridge Forbes' responsibility, according to Stein.

There is no mechanism to compel Forbes to reimburse the city if the city were to finish the work itself, Stein said.

The bridge is a required secondary egress from the developments. It is considered important for traffic management, but even more so for safety. In the event of a fire or flood in the area, it would allow residents to evacuate by another route besides East Cascade Avenue running past the elementary school.

At press time, Bruce Forbes had not returned a call from The Nugget requesting comment for this story.