Bridge can be repaired

Editor:

Re: Council approves new bridge, Free Press, Dec. 20/06.

Once again the mayor and council wax philosophically about the Cameron St. Bridge and how they want to solve the problem as soon as possible. The mayor even goes so far as to say that the situation on Fifth Avenue is unacceptable. Councillor Glen Scott wants the bridge built. Skakun wants to speed up the process.

The fact of the matter is this bridge has been closed for 15 months, and it appears that at the present rate of progression it will remain closed for a further three years. One has to assume that our elected officials and city staff must have known this from the get-go.

Once again the mayor, city council, and city staff refuse to acknowledge the fact that according to the city transportation manager the present Cameron Street bridge can be repaired and resurfaced to accommodate both truck and passenger vehicle traffic for $724,000. These repairs should have been done immediately and we would now have a viable bridge. They could be done even now post-haste and we would have a functional bridge for next summer. Repairing this bridge has always been a fiscally responsible option that would get it up and running and take the pressure off Fifth Avenue and the bypass, reduce costs to business and citizens, and reduce safety hazards. It is not necessary to build a new bridge at a cost to Prince George taxpayers of $7.5 million. I am at a loss as to why no one at city hall wishes to discuss this option. Are the citizens and businesses affected by the loss of this bridge going to continue so sit on their hands and wait three more years for this bridge, or are they going to tell the mayor and council to get it repaired and back in service, and quit playing politics?

Eric Allen

Prince George

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