BELMONT - Repair on a bridge in Belmont is far overdue, say local residents.
Construction began on the bridge crossing the Chiganois River on Onslow Mountain Road late last week.
The bridge was initially damaged by Hurricane Juan in 2003.
Residents like Karen Turner, who lives right next door to the bridge, have long been concerned about the bridges condition and say it is a dangerous situation.
“This is a busy road,” said Turner. “There are people coming and going to work in everyday in Debert along with local traffic.”
MLA Karen Casey said she was first informed of the bridges disrepair during the 2009 election campaign in June.
“The department staff may have known about it before. I’m not aware of whether they did or didn’t.
In fear of their children crossing the bridge alone, many parents of school children gather at the bus stop everyday to walk their children home from school.
“There is no way I would ever let my 5-year-old grandson walk across the bridge from the school bus,” said Turner. “One wrong step and he could be in the river.”
Casey has been to the bridge and agreed it was a safety hazard.
“The bottom line is that is has been identified and that there is some attention being paid to it,” said Casey. “If there was a long delay in getting that action, then that’s unfortunate. I think the good part is that it is being addressed.”
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