K. V. Hall packed for RTA Hampden Bridge meeting
1 Jul 10
Latecomers had to stand ,as the question of closure of Hampden Bridge was fully ventilated at an intense gathering of "top managers, engineers and PR people" as the RTA fronted an audience that could well be described as passionate, concerned and articulate as they fired salvo after salvo at the bureaucrats after a short presentation of the background of the need for the work at an approximate cost of $2.5 million.
After nearly three hours of parry and thrust the result was generally summed up as "productive" as the RTA speakers agreed that the messages from Valley residents were coming through loud and clear.
Project Manager Adam Berry fielded the majority of the questions and said time anfter time that "no decision" had been made about the closing dates, days, and hours that would be applied when the necessary major maintenance work would be done.
Speakers and questioners from the floor consistently put forward the view, that stop gap solutions like duplication of emergency services, feeder buses etc were no answer to the assault which would be wreaked on the Valley if the RTA decided to establish daylight closures.
The general consensus was that an alternative temporary crossing should be arranged for local traffic, pedestrians and cyclists and closed when the bridge was operational.
The RTA personnel indicated they would re-examine a list of possible sites, keeping in mind that the structure needed only to be a single lane and not above flood levels.
They also promised to evaluate the proposal put forward by Bruce Ramsey (see June Voice and page 3 this issue) for prefabrication of sectional components of the bridge decking replacements as a more time efficient and less costly method of achieving an excellent result.
Time and again the RTA spokespeople said that "no decision had been made" and there would further consultation with the community.