(Fargo, ND) -- Downtown residents are largely divided following the cancelation of the proposed pedestrian bridge earlier this week.
Several Fargo residents are sharing their thoughts following the city commissions decision to cancel the project. Fargo City Commissioner John Strand says the decision comes after "immense public feedback" was heard in opposition against the construction of the bridge. The project would have built a pedestrian and biking bridge from City hall, over 2nd St. N and the adjacent flood wall, and connect to a bike path along the riverfront.
"It may not seem like much in the periphery of Fargo, those not downtown, but being able to subvert or circumvent traffic is somewhat of a big deal. "said one resident in support of the pedestrian bridge, "As downtown becomes more favorable, more populated, I think things like [the bridge] would carry a relatively high utility."
The project has seen large pushback from the public since its announcement last year. Commissioner Strand has said for every ten emails he receives about the bridge, maybe one would be in favor of it's construction overall.
"We need a lot of help on the river besides this 'bridge to nowhere.' come on folks, that's 2.3 million, "said one resident against the bridge project, who was referring to the $2.4 million in federal funding that was returned following the project cancelation. "You could help a lot of veterans, you could help a lot of homeless."
You can see our previous reporting on the bridge project by clicking here.