A Penn Forest Township man wants Carbon County commissioners to open the Stony Creek bridge to pedestrians.

"It's a problem for the local people," Ralph Clark told commissioners at a public meeting Thursday.The county closed the century-old stone arch bridge in April 2012 because it was deemed hazardous to vehicle traffic after the foundation had shifted several inches.Commissioners said they'd take a look at it."It's a reasonable request," said Commissioner William J. O'Gurek. "We ought to go out there and take a look at it."Commissioner Thomas J. Gerhard said he sees no problem with allowing pedestrian traffic on the bridge, located off Route 903.Clark asked commissioners to move barriers at the bridge so that people can walk across it, and perhaps drive all-terrain vehicles and motorcycles.County solicitor Daniel Miscavige said the state Department of Transportation deemed the bridge hazardous to motor vehicles, including motorcycles and ATVs.Clark, who owns property on both sides of the bridge, said people routinely clamber over the barriers to walk across rather than take a circuitous route around the span.Clark said the complete closure has created a burden for residents.Several children have to walk up Route 903 in a roundabout route to get to their bus stop on Stoney Creek Road, and people lift their dogs over the barriers before they climb over them to reach the open space to walk their pets, he said."If it's too dangerous for people to walk across, it should be torn down," Clark said. "What you're doing (the barriers) doesn't stop people from crossing the bridge."He said the barriers should be shifted just enough to allow people to walk over it.Gerhard said commissioners would talk with engineer Michael Tirpak about allowing pedestrian traffic.