Video: Coquitlam Mayor Richard Stewart says the closure of the Bailey Bridge could be putting the public at risk. Stewart says the closure is leading to ambulance delays and wants to see a new larger bridge built. New Westminster doesn’t agree. We hear from both sides on Unfiltered with Jill Krop.
A long-running dispute between New Westminster and Coquitlam over a tiny wooden bridge may be putting public safety at risk.
The one-lane wooden Bailey Bridge provides a small but well-used link between the two cities.
Right now, it’s closed and needs to be replaced.
In the meantime, the Mayor of Coquitlam says the resulting traffic congestion is potentially putting lives in danger.
The bridge is a favourite shortcut of ambulance drivers as the shorter, faster route to Royal Columbian Hospital.
“That is my worry, that as some we are going to have a critical ill patient not have the time to make it,” says Coquitlam Mayor Richard Stewart. “These constant delays are going to cost somebody’s life eventually.”
Thankfully, a fix may be in the works to relieve some of the built up of traffic congestion in the area.
“We have actually got a Bailey Bridge from the province as a temporary fix and it should be in in a couple of weeks,” says New Westminster Mayor Wayne Wright.
The two cities have been locking horns over for years over what type of bridge should go in on a permanent basis. Coquitlam wants two lanes, while New Westminster wants just one alternating lane.
“New Westminster doesn’t want a bridge because it brings too many people into their city,” says Stewart.
“Why one lane in this day and age? Because there are no access points out of there once you get to the railroad tracks,” says Wright.
The two sides have agreed an arbitrator will determine what type of permanent bridge will be safest and cope best with the growing traffic problems.
— with files from Brian Coxford, Global News
News Hour video – April 11, 2014:
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