The Water Street Bridge in Whitemouth, Manitoba was built some 85+ years ago and was carefully watched since the early 1990's for safety concerns. The bridge was closed on September 15. 2003, resulting in a huge impact on the community and the residents on the "other side" of the bridge. The negative effects as compiled by Jerry & Juanita Cousins in a letter to the council previously, are as stated:
- Heavier use of Municipal roads creating more cost and maintenance for the Municipality of Whitemouth. Right now, these roads are a dangerous alternative. Rice Road is treacherous in winter, and during summer is muddy and slippery. The ditches are deep. They are totally unacceptable and need upgrading and paving. Visitors to the residents on the NW side of the bridge are reluctant to drive all the way around on poor roads, when in the past they could just cross the bridge. This is a loss of quick access to neighbors and family to visit each other.
- There is a HUGE potential loss of tax revenue due to the devaluation of property assessment because of lack of accessibility by residents. Recent real estate assessment has dropped the value of land by double digits. This would be a loss that could equal the cost of the bridge replacement/repairs over just a few years.
- Removal of a service of which residents were "accustomed to", that was there for 85 years and more. Therefore reducing the caliber of their rural quality living such as quick access to friends and family, and many services.
- Loss of revenue for town businesses and services. If residents have to drive west to Hwy 408 Bridge, they might as well keep going and drive to Beausejour or Winnipeg to conduct business and to shop.
- The NW of bridge residents have been divorced from the community of Whitemouth. Loss of volunteer hours for the local Library, ambulance and fire department.
- Safety & Health concern: Loss of immediate ambulance service. Health care workers are being inconvenienced. It is five miles to get from one side of the bridge to the other. A cost of time, money and natural resources!
- School Buses are inconvenienced as well as the students. This generation is setting a poor example of thinking of the future, and why would any young people want to stay in a "dying community"?
- Loss of access for emergency vehicles and fire protection: Vital services that were taken away with the loss of the bridge. People settled in the vicinity of this bridge, because the bridge was there. Should they be relocated?
- Loss of part of the Whitemouth Heritage. It is important to keep the convenience of accessibility for visitors and residents who have worked hard to maintain a great community, and who have paid taxes always. Tax money that should have been used to upkeep and/or provide for a new bridge, or set aside for bridge repairs.
- Loss of Tourism: how would the community of Whitemouth appear to visitors, that are being enticed to visit the area, when the community shuts down a vital link of town and country, with no access to the beautiful ski-trail along the river, or Cooks Falls Camp Ground. Tourism is important to all rural communities. It is extremely important to maintain the caliber and prestige of a small rural community. ......
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from Lissy.
