City staff are working to re-illuminate one of downtown NanaimoB次元官网网址檚 gateways.

The Bastion Street Bridge became the target of vandalism and theft when the wiring for the bridgeB次元官网网址檚 lights and duct work were stolen late last month.

B次元官网网址淲e got notified that the lights on the bridge were dark,B次元官网网址� said David Thompson, city manager of roads and traffic services. B次元官网网址淲e sent out an electrical contractor to look in the matter and they discovered that all the wiring and duct work that is hung underneath the bridge, servicing those lights, had been ripped down. ItB次元官网网址檚 a big undertaking.B次元官网网址�

Thompson said rather than simply replace the lost hardware B次元官网网址� initial cost estimates were $12,000 to $15,000 to carry out the work B次元官网网址� the city is looking at ways to make replacement hardware more resistant against theft and vandalism and to see if upgrades should be made, such as additional lighting that could help B次元官网网址渋mprove the situation overall.B次元官网网址�

The frequency of wire and metal theft from city property has slowed in recent years.

B次元官网网址淭here was a big rash of wire theft, I want to say two years ago, but it has kind of quieted down,B次元官网网址� Thompson said. B次元官网网址淢ost of our electrical infrastructure is under lock and key and buried, so itB次元官网网址檚 protected in that sense, but certainly, as with anything, somebody whoB次元官网网址檚 got sufficient motivation and time can create a lot of problems.B次元官网网址�

Thompson said the abutment areas under the bridge are dry and dark and city bylaws officers move people along from those areas daily.

The bridge lights have now been dark for a month, but Thompson said there is likely enough ambient lighting from nearby street lights and business spilling onto the bridge to avoid potential safety issues.

The city is working with its electrical contractor to determine the final cost for repairs and upgrades and when the lights will be back in service.

A theft complaint was not filed with the Nanaimo RCMP, which offered no comment on the theft.

B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 the situation so weB次元官网网址檙e taking a bit of time to reinstate that lighting in a way thatB次元官网网址檚 not going to expose us to future issues like this,B次元官网网址� Thompson said.

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