Bridge issues aren’t over

Rich Landers did not mention (Dec. 9) the following regarding the Barker Road bridge: It looks quite substantial and will serve the community for generations. It’s an attractive structure with artistic graphics along the sides.

However, Rich is right. Public parking is on the south side of the bridge, whereas river access is on the north side, requiring portage. Further, as Rich states, river access is very poor.

The slope down to the shoreline and the obvious possibility for erosion are major issues. Today, the river flow was 7,400 cubic feet per second and it lapped at the edges of the “protective” boulders that had been rolled down the slope. But I’ve tracked the flow for several decades in The Spokesman-Review and, during the spring snow melt, I have seen typical spring runoff rates that reach 14,000, 18,000, 22,000 cfps. Can anyone imagine the erosion the Spokane River can do in a single day in late March at the Barker Road bridge?

I think we have purchased an annual restoration project at this site in perpetuity. As to the budget for this expense? I hope Rich gives us an update as the spring flow does its work next year.

Tom Cameron

Spokane Valley