BLUEFIELD, WV (WVVA) - The Grant Street bridge in Bluefield has been impassable for over a year, and protesters gathered on Saturday to protest that closure.
According to Danny Wright, one of the protesters, holding the protest was important so they because having access to the bridge is vital to their community.
"We have to be in plain sight to let them [the city] know that this is essential," said Wright. "This is an essential bridge. This is a main artery to our neighborhood."
Not having access to the bridge poses many inconveniences to the residents who live in the affected areas.
"It's hard for people to get their medicine. It's hard for any deliveries, and people don't want to visit, [and] they don't want to leave," said Anneka Perry, a protester. "If [they're] going out and coming back in, you don't want to go out and go all around the bend again."
Gaining access to the bridge could be a long process, but for Billie B. Powell, it's important for him to use his voice and fight for the younger generations.
"I might not benefit from it, but I'm standing for the younger people behind me who need this bridge," said Powell. "I might not get to use it, but just like somebody stood up for me now it's my time to stand up and I'm out here standing for the younger ones behind me."
Using their voice was a group effort and the protest had a good community turnout. Charles Collins said he is thankful for that support.
"We've been here since 9:00 this morning, with this demonstration and we've had, upward of thirty or forty folks in two locations doing this demonstration," said Collins.
The city of Bluefield said they are taking steps to repair this bridge.
They are currently conducting a feasibility study and meeting with the railroad company who owns part of it; however, COVID-19 has held up the process slightly.
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September 14, 2020 at 02:18AM
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Community members gather to peacefully protest bridge closure - WVVA TV
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