April 19, 2012:
Nearly 50 people turned up at the Hope Recreation Centre to give their input into plans to restore Alexandra Bridge, as well as Alexandra Bridge Provincial Park. The meeting heard how the 1926 Alexandra Bridge structure – maintained by the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure – can safely carry pedestrian traffic for another 15 years. Discussion on the draft site concept plan developed by the project partners centered on improvements to the park’s amenities (like the highway rest stop), access to the bridge across the CN line, and a proposed camp site and interpretive center. Hope Mountain Centre’s Kelly Pearce (pictured above) helped lead the discussion and gave the audience a wonderful presentation on the history of this special spot in the Fraser Canyon, which has been a transportation hub for 10,000 years.