Dear Sir:
I agree with city councillor James Cordeiro’s concern (The Terrace Standard, Nov. 2, 2016, ‘Pedestrian overpass grant being sought’) that spending $50,000 on a study and design might tell council about engineering and other problems it already knows about; however, if that’s how to get the public engaged in this important community project, then let’s make it money well spent.
And this is a community project, as we’ll all have to live with it, either by looking at it or actually using it.
Those who typically drive should, by the design, be encouraged to walk it. The bridge becomes a carbon sink by people’s use of it rather than their cars (though if it’s really good looking, people might drive to see it, thereby augmenting carbon footprint, an irony to regret wishing for).
Anyway, on the pedestrian bridge, as an inveterate walker, I wish to engage, as I believe many other residents do, in the process to determine the design of the bridge.
Not that I have a specific design in mind; rather, that we create engineered beauty where it is much needed.
I googled “award winning pedestrian bridges” and found some incredible images.
Check it out. It's worth seeing.
Our bridge here needs, aside from cool design, protection from the elements.
Most important is to think of a pedestrian overpass as the best alternative to the current Sande Overpass gauntlet – trucks splashing and spraying water a baby carriage for example.
David Heinimann,
Terrace, B.C.