Spences Bridge closed, at least for the time being
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by Steve Rice
9/11 was a sad day indeed in Spences Bridge.
The good news: The old bridge that connects south and north in Spences Bridge lived to serve the community for one last weekend.
The bad news: now it may be closed forever.
With Carol Walkem and crew at the bridge on Sept. 8 telling our story, a spirited petition signing effort (24 pages of signatures), and lots of media coverage, our message was heard loud and clear in Victoria.
A gathering on the bridge of about 20 on Friday morning had their vehicles (tractor included) parked so a bridge closure was not possible without a tow truck.
A local highway crew chose to let the peaceful demonstration continue throughout the day.
An RCMP officer who visited the scene also had no problem with efforts to keep the bridge open one last weekend.
MLA Harry Lali met with Ministry officials on Wednesday and they promised to send their technical people to do a thorough assessment of the bridge in addition to a cost analysis.
They will then meet with the community of Spences Bridge to share the results.
If their findings indicate a major bridge repair is possible and will significantly extend the life of the bridge, then funding will become a priority and a bridge re-opening may be possible.
Funding has been identified by the Ministry as the biggest challenge we face and indicated that the TNRD, as a governing partner, may be able to help in this area. (Spences Bridge to TNRD - any ideas?)
We would like to thank all those local folks who sat for hours at the bridge and handed out our petitions, and a special thanks to all who wrote letters to our MLA.
Our voice was heard in the newspaper, on Global TV and CBC.
We may have only kept the bridge open for one extra weekend, but we did make a statement for all Rural B.C. - scream loud enough and they will listen. Scream often enough and who knows - they may even act.
The bridge will remain open as a foot and bike path while solutions are sought.
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