Marystown Mayor Brian Keating says he shares the frustration over the continued closure of the Canning Bridge. But he says it doesn’t trump the real risk of it collapsing while a vehicle is on it.

That’s the risk some are taking, even though the bridge has been closed for safety reasons since February.

Partial barricades were erected to still allow first responders to cross, but the wooden barriers are constantly dismantled and tossed aside.

Keating says he dreads the day he’s asked to comment on a tragedy.

“We were told by the engineers and experts this bridge is unsafe for vehicles and I don’t wanna be the mayor of this town reporting that someone went across and the bridge and it collapsed.”

Keating noted the bridge and barricades are under the control of the department of transportation, which is planning to install a more permanent locked gate.

A replacement bridge, meanwhile, is about 3 to 4 years away.