A new Lisbon-Durham bridge is badly needed to replace the 1938 bridge that is extremely inadequate for today’s usage. But let’s not forget the pedestrians who will use that viaduct between the two communities.

Another town will be getting a sidewalk, but MDOT officials want to deny one. I have to wonder why?

I am told it would save approximately $65 per square foot to leave it off.

The bridge is 75 years old. It doesn’t have any breakdown lanes. Supposedly, it needs not one, but two of them, five feet wide each. One of them could easily be changed into a walkway for people. Make the other lane four feet wide to save money.

What happened to safety ideas at the MDOT? If the bridge cannot be done right, let’s wait a bit longer. What is the rush?

It should be done right or we will all regret it later. I am told that the bridge has between 10 and 20 years of life yet.

People should not let anyone scare them about the bridge. MDOT will replace it before anything happens, but it should include plans for a promenade.

Richard J. Nadeau, Lisbon Falls