Residents Fight Gravel Pit Plans Near Kissing Bridge

WGN 59-51-01

 

West Montrose Ontario, December 1, 2008 - Village residents ae trying to stop the establishment of a gravel pit near Ontario's last covered bridge, the West Montrose Kissing Bridge.

A group called Bridge Keepers was formed to fight the proposed gravel pit in an effort to preserve the ambiance of the area—"Thousands of tourists visit this place every year to see the oldest covered bridge in Ontario, shop in local stores, stay in bed-and-breakfasts and soak in the pastoral landscape steeped in Mennonite culture and history."

Bridge Keepers fear dump trucks hauling gravel, making more than 266 round trips a day, will disrupt the Mennonite buggy traffic. Noise and dust will ruin the tourism trade. "Our mission is to preserve and protect the covered-bridge experience," says Bridge Keeper Tony Dowling.

The 190-foot Kissing Bridge was built in 1881 to cross the Grand River in two spans using queen post trusses.

The Bridge Keepers have created a website arguing their position on the controversy: www.bridgekeepers.ca. The group can be contacted at: bridgepitstop@live.ca.

The gravel company also has a website to state their case: www.capitalpaving--montrosepitfacts.net, however, this writer tried this address without success.

For the whole story and photos, go to news.therecord.com/article/452157.