Resident Philip Siggelkow made an emotional plea to city council to preserve the Coteau Street East bridge so residents can continue to access the nearby Wakamow Valley.
Siggelkow and his wife have lived in Moose Jaw for 40 years and reside in a home on Trinity Lane, which is close to the bridge, he said during the Nov. 22 meeting.
After learning about the bridge’s demolition, he and others began acquiring signatures on a petition that asked its council to reconsider tearing down the structure. The organizers acquired 258 signatures on the petition, which Siggelkow presented before the meeting.
“The majority of people who signed the petition use the bridge on a regular basis,” he said, pointing out that about a dozen other people in the council gallery either helped with the petition or use the bridge often.
More people use the bridge than council realizes, as organizers calculated that 150 people use the structure in the summer to access the valley or Church of God campus, Siggelkow continued. People who access the valley want a safe place to walk, such as mothers with children, families, the elderly on power scooters, bicyclists, and people from the Wakamow Detox Centre, Cornerstone Christian School and a nearby group home.
City administration calculated in 2017 that 54 vehicles use the bridge daily.
The only other option to access the valley is Home Street, three blocks away, mostly gravel, rough to walk on, and crosses two busy railway tracks.
“It’s not a very safe option … ,” he remarked. “There are also real safety concerns if the bridge is removed, as there will be limited access to Trinity Lane. There will (also) be no emergency vehicles available to residents or participants at Church of God campus.”
The group believes there must be viable options explored to keep, repair or replace the bridge, Siggelkow continued.
He noted that the federal Railway Transportation Act lays out the responsibility that railway companies have. This means CN Railway could be responsible for helping maintain the bridge. However, demolition would eliminate that duty.
“I wonder if that is why they are willing to share in the demolition costs,” mused Siggelkow.
The group is aware that there are many demands upon the city’s limited finances, but council usually finds money for initiatives, such as Mosaic Place and the Seventh Avenue Southwest bridge, he continued.
Council should drive across the Coteau Street East bridge and view the valley and river since they’re a sight that others already know about, Siggelkow said. The response to the petition should tell council that residents want the bridge kept since it’s important.
Several methods were used to acquire names, he added, including posting the petition at the bridge so people passing by could sign and having a sign-up sheet at the Church of God campus so users could sign there.
“I drove by one night because you had your truck parked by the bridge and had a light on near the petition. You definitely were doing all you could to get names on, even in the dark,” remarked Coun. Crystal Froese.
The group would prefer to see the bridge remain open for vehicles and pedestrians but having the structure open for pedestrians would be better than nothing, Siggelkow told Coun. Heather Eby.
Coun. Kim Robinson thanked Siggelkow for his petition and presentation, noting it was great to see residents come forward with concerns and make valid points about possible alternative options to demolition.
“Thank you for making me reconsider this whole process,” he added.
Council later discussed the future of the Coteau Street East bridge.
The next regular council meeting is Monday, Dec. 13.
