The bridge washed away in a storm in June 2014 and the couples disagreed on how much to spend on a replacement.
The Lyons proceeded alone, spent $30,000 on a new bridge, and are suing the Clarks for half the cost of the new bridge.
“It’s extremely frustrating. I feel so much injustice that people are allowed to do this, pick a bridge without our consent, build it and then sue us for it,” Emily Clark said. “It’s going to ruin our financial future.”
Calls to the Lyons seeking comment were not returned Wednesday. Their son, Christopher Lyons, contacted this newspaper after reading about the dispute on WHIO.com. He said his parents, both in their 60s, had no choice but to construct the bridge because the flash flood had wiped out their utility lines.
“They haven’t had a gas line since June. They started construction on the bridge independently to get gas and heating to their home,” Christopher Lyons said. “They’re not wealthy people. They spent everything they had just to keep the heat on. It’s unfortunate the way it’s been portrayed (by the Clarks).”
Emily Clark, who has lived at the home for three years, said the neighbors could not agree on the design or cost of the new bridge, and the Lyons then built a bridge way out their price range.
“It got nasty very quick,” Emily Clark said.
After telling the Clarks the bridge should not be driven on because the concrete needed to cure, the Lyons parked a car sideways to block access to the bridge and put “no trespassing” signs and barricades on it.
The Clarks in turn had the Lyons’ car towed and removed the barricades.
The Lyons filed a complaint Tuesday claiming the Clarks breached the contract, contained in the land deed, to split the cost of bridge repair and maintenance.
Christopher Lyons said his parents had obtained an engineer’s report indicating that the water levels required a more structurally sound bridge.
“The Clarks wanted something cheaper because they want to sell their home and move. They have no long-term perspective,” he said.
Emily Clark said the couple did have a prospective buyer lined up for their home, but it fell through when the bridge collapsed.
The bridge is now being used by both couples, but with a lawsuit pending, the future is uncertain.
“We’re using it now. I don’t really know what’s going to happen next,” Clark said. “We’ve already spent our savings trying to get justice now. If we have to pay them, it will force us into bankruptcy.”
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