“Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.”
Those of us who live or work north of the city will again be allowed to travel over the Rt. 123 bridge in Walpole this weekend. It’s been closed ever since the original span was destroyed by the flood of 2005. For me, that will mean a much quicker trip to Bellows Falls and a five minute trek to the hardware store rather than ten. And while I’m used to going the long way around, the price of gas will undoubtedly call me into utilizing the new bridge much like the Sirens called to the sailors.
But the re-opening of the span will also mean accidents at a very dangerous intersection. We’ve become accustom to not watching for merging traffic because there hasn’t been any for three years. Will there be problems? Yes. It will take about six months before people to get back in the habit of looking left and right and then left again before proceeding.
At a cost of 2.7 million dollars I’m sure the new bridge will get plenty of use. But I’m hoping that locals who drive over it, take the time to think of what used to be there and remember those who lost their lives three years ago this month. Also as you cross the bridge, consider all the hard work and effort that has gone into rebuilding the region by those who survived. It remains an on-going process.