Quoted from DemocraticVoiceOfReason

The only people who are upset about it are a bunch of sourgrapes whining, nonsense babbling nayboobs and a woman who apparently is too wide to fit on an 8 foot wide sidewalk.

Quoted from senders

the wall makes it much easier to push zombies off the bridge when the apocalypse happens

Quoted Text

Photos show old bridge wasn’t place for sightseeing, either
The recent spate of letters concerning the railing of the Western Gateway Bridge (the 2013 edition) has now culminated in a Gazette [Sept. 12] editorial. Unfortunately, most of these communications are either based on a profound lack of (historical) information or come from those enamored of looking elsewhere while driving, a practice to be avoided, in my humble opinion.

Regarding the historical part, I have found several photos of the old Western Gateway Bridge (before the last edition) taken by my father on several occasions during the 1950s. Two things are noticable from these photos.

First, the new railing, while not a perfect match for the old bridge, is a much better rendition of the historical form than either the recent bridge railing, or any conceivable railing design that purports to allow a fine view of the Mohawk River.

Second, although there were certainly spaces/gaps in the old railing, they were hardly amenable to taking a good view of the river, considering their size, spacing, and the thickness of the concrete wall.

I daresay that the old bridge designers knew what they were doing: it’s not a particularly good idea to sightsee from a car on a bridge.

One additional insight might be taken from these photos. Even without the vantage point of the roof of the Van Curler (now SCCC), it is possible to get a very fine view of the river (including ice jams) from the bank of the river. One can only pity those who cannot find the time to stop, park (pretty easily done), and walk over to the riverbank to take in a leisurely view. You don’t even have to be particularly fit (and certainly not an athlete) to do this.

For those who want the real experience, I suggest that a gentle stroll onto the bridge would be far more rewarding than the view from a moving car.

The mayor of Scotia should know better!

George H. Shaw

Schenectady

Quoted from DemocraticVoiceOfReason

... that motorists should be paying attention to WHERE THEY ARE DRIVING and not to the view

Quoted from bumblethru

who really gives a crap on exactly what the stupid bridge 'looks' like??? I  mean wtf.....i just want it maintained for safety...duh!!! It's just a road that gits ya from one place to another.

and if bridges are under control of the state.....when are they gonna fix the old oak street bridge in mt. pleasant????