Sarnia's mayor says public consultation is needed before making any decisions on the future of the Vidal St. walkway west of the Donohue Bridge.
The city's engineering officials are recommending the walkway be permanently closed due to safety concerns and costly repairs.
Replacement of the walkway would cost about $2.2-million and repairs will be even more expensive.
Mike Bradley says pedestrian safety should be a primary objective.
Some people have been forced to cut across a portion of CN Rail land.
"That's the real concern is what value do we put on human life," says Bradley. "If people are taking other alternatives that are dangerous then we need to look at that as part of the decision making process. I think the key is the public needs to speak out now before a decision is made by council on the future direction of this project."
Bradley says the length of ongoing repair work at the Donohue Bridge is a concern.
He says it's been a big impediment to traffic in Chemical Valley, but is hopeful the project will wrapup this fall. The bridge, built in 1969, has undergone various upgrades dating back to the 1980s.
Bradley says a final decision on the walkway will likely be left to the new council to make.
Municipal election day is October 22.
