Should a New New Bedford-Fairhaven Bridge Get Lights Like Fall River’s Braga Bridge Did?
I recently asked folks if the $8 million the state has committed to illuminating the Charles M. Braga Bridge connecting Fall River to Somerset is a solid investment.
We posted the question to the WBSM and Fun 107 websites and the Facebook pages for both stations. Not surprisingly, the overwhelming majority of respondents said "NO!"
Some of you were not shy with your responses. Here is a sampling of some opinions.
Debra Lemonde said, "Could have been spent in a more productive way (especially) the way the economy is."
Presleigh Grace wrote, "$8 million for decorative lights at the taxpayer's expense, while most taxpayers are having to choose between heat, food, and Christmas."
Mike Butts posted, "This is how the morons in charge spend YOUR tax money."
Then there was this from Brian Montalvo: "A lot of comments how many of y'all went to the meeting to stop the spending for the light on the bridge? I'll wait..."
Ronnie Pacheco said, "It looks nice, but no."
Michael Oliver spoke in defense of the expenditure by simply replying, "Yes."
Steven Miller said, "It looks beautiful."
The Braga is the fifth Massachusetts bridge to be illuminated by remotely controlled state-of-the-art LED lighting.
As many of you may know, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is toying with the idea of replacing the age-old New Bedford-Fairhaven Bridge.
Should a replacement bridge, if there is to be one, be illuminated in the same way that the Braga Bridge and four other Massachusetts highway bridges are?
I look forward to your responses.