Full replacement
Tryon River bridge to get new top deck following online debate
Much like a squeaky wheel gets the grease, a creaky bridge will soon receive some much-needed repairs after questions of its safety hit social media on the weekend. The province announced Monday that the deck of the Tryon River bridge will receive a full replacement, with work beginning Tuesday and expecting to take one to two weeks. The announcement came after an area resident and Transportation Minister Paula Biggar debated the issue through Twitter on the weekend. Cape Traverse resident Andrew MacKay had shared photos of the bridge’s condition, including nails sticking out of the surface and rotting wood, while stating he had three flat tires caused by the structure this summer. “Every time it seems to happen right after we cross that bridge,” said MacKay. “We said ‘OK, that’s it, no more crossing this bridge until something is done about it’.” MacKay said he first brought the issue to Biggar on Aug. 6, later also pointing to nearby construction work to widen a turn in the road. “To me, why would you go do that when the bridge is in such need of repair,” he said. Biggar replied to MacKay’s concerns on Twitter, with a lengthy thread resulting between the two, by stating that repairing the wood structure would be timeconsuming and that she was “sure the community would want it just paved over to make it smooth”. Biggar also noted she was a frequent user of the bridge. “I have travelled this bridge extensively over the past two months without incidents and haven’t had any other complaints it is very unfortunate you seem to be an exception,” Biggar told MacKay in the Twitter post before later saying the issue was being looked at. “I’m sure you and (MLA Jamie Fox) realize repairs can’t just happen as soon as you determine required. A review of requirements must happen to repair properly. I’m sure if it wasn’t done properly there would be critics about that too. As noted it is being looked for repair.” By Monday, a review appeared to be complete with Biggar’s department releasing a statement that the bridge would need a full deck replacement and that oneway traffic will be maintained for the duration of the work. MacKay said he noticed workers inspecting the bridge Monday morning and shortly after received an email from the deputy minister informing him of the repairs. “I’m certainly satisfied. That was the biggest thing, the safety of the bridge and the safety of the people who travel that road,” said MacKay. He noted the issue seemed to get more attention after he brought it to Twitter. “At any rate, it did get escalated and taken seriously, but it took a bit of time,” said MacKay, who also wished the province had done more preventative maintenance on the bridge. “A local resident shouldn’t have to raise concerns about the condition of the bridge. “If there was some more preventative maintenance, I don’t think it would have gotten to this point.”