Dear editor,
Congratulations to Courtenay council for finally approving the long-postponed work on the 5th Street bridge.
As a central landmark, the bridge will again be a handsome centrepiece of downtown, with new paint, deck resurfacing, and widened sidewalks. The views offered from the bridge are some of the best in the Valley; it鈥檚 easy to imagine it becoming part of a popular 5th Street 鈥榩romenade鈥� between downtown and the parks, for visitors and locals alike.
Some residents and businesses are concerned about the estimated length of disruption, and the City should endeavour to expedite the work program in any way possible. The Record reported that one lane would generally be open to traffic, and I hope that applies to one sidewalk as well.
It鈥檚 my understanding that any new bridge would be many times more expensive, with a much longer construction period, than rehabbing the existing, structurally sound bridge. Here鈥檚 to at least another 50 years of good use.
Tom Pater,
Courtenay
