It’s going to take a major focus on Virden’s bridge to the highway – the bridge over PR#257 – to get this project to move up the list of infrastructure repairs. Somebody’s going to have to care more than they do now to get this bridge re-built, and I suspect that somebody sometime is going to do just that. The question is, “when?”.
The approaching Canada 150 celebration urges us to retrace the steps that got us here; yes here to Virden, as well as to our marvelous national stature, O’ Canada.
Since we are honouring Canada’s roots, celebrating our official beginnings 150 years ago, perhaps it’s time to remind ourselves just what kind of blood, sweat and tears went into creating this town and the human landscape we take for granted.
Who built our bridges and how did they do it?
Guaranteed, strong motivation led to a “can do” attitude to build the bridge between Government Road on the east side of Virden and Number One Highway.
That bridge over Gopher Creek was in constant use until floodwaters undermined the structure in 2011 with further damage done in 2014. It has become a walking path and a great place to take your dog, or ride a bike.
But, it would be interesting to re-visit the real service that bridge has carried.
Here’s the thing - like a part of the body whose blood supply is restricted or cut off – atrophy occurs. This is something that is not clearly seen, but it has and is occurring. Development and opportunities of who knows what kind, will not involve that side of Virden. There is a bottleneck.
However, conversely, if the bridge were replaced, we cannot right now foresee all the opportunities that would arise.
So, in the spirit of the pioneers who built Virden, who built our prairie life, are we still on course?
We must remember, the bridge’s closure was not a positive decision to decommission a seldom used, no longer necessary road. No, it was cut down mid-use.
People are still talking about rebuilding the bridge. From discussion I’ve heard, there is a resurgence of the will to do so. People with a history here can perhaps make the best case for restoring the bridge. However, people with new vision and a can-do attitude need to come along side.
As of July 2016, a petition was in circulation to restore use of the road with culverts that had been used in shoo-fly construction on Hwy#83. For logistical/engineering reasons that petition didn’t get anywhere. So that turns the project to real construction for a permanent structure. Do it right, to run traffic, heavy traffic such as firefighting equipment and other industry.
Virden has true beauty, both geographical, with its creeks and park spaces, a super recreation complex and Aud Theatre; as well as the beauty of community life.
But Virden’s roads do not reflect that. They are, for the most part, a disgrace. From Frontage Road West along the lodging /services, a dangerous trail of pavement and craters introduces visitors to Virden businesses.
Down King Street, ever more in use since Bridge #257 died, the road is a patchwork quilt. It is a four-lane street, but the turning lanes are not used with confidence on the often dusty strip.
What’s up? Is opportunity knocking or will atrophy continue?
