Citizens concerned about broken streetlights on Bittersweet Road bridge

MISHAWAKA, Ind. - On Bittersweet Road just near Penn High School, residents are expressing concern over damaged lights along the bridge over the river.

With night starting earlier and earlier, this may be a cause for concern with students walking there.

One viewer gave us a news tip saying that he saw several lights flashing, plus others either out, dim, or damaged.

Some residents in the area, even one couple who frequently walk their dogs along the path, say they’ve noticed the damaged lights for quite some time and are still wondering why it's taking so long to be repaired.

Even folks from the Mishawaka-Penn-Harris Public Library say it's a safety concern.

I spoke to the library's communications manager, who said many students from Penn High School walk to the library.

“Once it hits about 5:30 p.m., that’s when we really noticed the difference because of the time change, and it's dark, and so on the bridge, our staff here has noticed the lights flickering, some of them are out, others are more like a strobe light effect and well, it's concerning,” said Judi Lykowski, Communications Manager at Mishawaka-Penn-Harris Public Library.

I asked the St. Joseph County Engineer, Sky Medors, if he could do an interview about this, but he declined.

Medors did tell me they currently have a contract with 'Michiana Contracting' to fix the LED lights on the bridge.

He also said the delay in repairs is due to long lead times on materials.