To the editor:

I find the current situation of the lift bridge annoying and inconvenient, as I am sure many people do. The current disruption has made me think further down the road. The bridge came into commission in 1959.

Sixty-three years ago, when the bridge started service, we were small communities recovering from the loss of mining in our area. Granted, we had tourists even in those days. However, tourism has grown over the years and become one of the major drivers of our economic life.

So much has changed in the 63 years, yet we continue to use the only bridge that connects the north to the south. I repeat the only bridge that connects the north to the south Copper Country.

We have, in the past years, patched, painted, and repaired, usually in the summer. The locals have been most patient in enduring bridge renovations.

I admit that the bridge has served us well, however, as our population grows, and tourism continues at the current pace, we must realize that the only hospitals are north of the bridge, so if there were a situation where we could not use the bridge, there is a real possibility of a tragedy.

We have no alternative but to use the current crossing. I think the current situation of slow-moving traffic on the bridge gives us an idea of how important the bridge is to our community. Under these conditions, I think it would be wise for our legislature and local officials to seek funding and a plan for a second bridge. It is only realistic to recognize that the bridge cannot last forever.

We need to look to the future.

EDITOR’S NOTE: The Father’s Day flood of 2018 was a great example of what can happen when medical personnel cannot get through. While the loss of the young child on Houghton’s Canal Road was not due to the closure of the bridge, it could have been had the bridge needed to close due to damage from the storm.

We agree that the community could use another way to cross the canal, should the need arise.