THE RECORD

January 10, 1996

BACK TO THE EGG

Suzanne Trevis

January 10, 1974, twenty two years ago today, saw the opening ceremonies for the new bridge over the Gold River. The community had been arguing for a two lane bridge for more than six years. It was the end of a long and hard won battle. One that had claimed more than five lives.

It was late at night, Thursday January 25, 1973 when Robert Berry, 46 years old, went to check on his horses, lodged in the clearing behind what is now Conuma's gravel pit. He never made it. He died when his truck skidded off the bridge and into the icy waters of the Gold River. It would take searchers more than three months before they found his body. But, by Friday morning Gold River housewives had had enough. Berry's death was the fifth fatality on the bridge in less than four years and something had to be done.

The single lane structure had a posted speed of 15mph. Approaches on both sides were two lanes and guard rails were less than a foot high in order to move oversized equipment across. It was the main link between town, mill and logging operations.

By 10 am that morning more than fifty women had joined forces to protest the unsafe conditions. The action brought the mill and other activities to a standstill as they were joined shortly thereafter by more that 300 Tahsis Company employees who walked off the job in support. Students from the high school also left class to join their parents at the bridge.

The demonstration lasted more than three hours. By 1pm they had a promise from Tahsis Company and the Provincial Government, joint owners of the bridge, that highways department crews would improve and strengthen the guardrails and that barricades would be added at either end of the bridge. Plans for a new bridge, already underway, would be hastened. In less than a year, their wish was a reality as the second lane we still use today was added to the existing structure.