Since construction began on the Main Street Bridge almost a year ago, there is one lesson Niles residents have likely learned time and time again: Patience is a virtue.

Yes, road detours are inconvenient. The project is noisy and disruptive for people who live and work near the river. We miss having full access to our parks and hosting car shows on Main Street. Our city leaders and volunteers have had to put a lot of time into rethinking parade routes and popular Niles events, and we all have had to adjust time and time again to the changes.

Despite all the chaos and inconvenience, the people of Niles really seem to have embraced the project. Seeing the project from start to (almost) finish has proved to be an intriguing process nearly everyone wants to participate in.

It is very likely that like us, you never really cared one way or another about the Main Street Bridge before this project started. For the majority of us who were not here for any of the many past construction projects on the structure, it is likely we took advantage of the convenience it provided.

In short, we don’t know what we have until it is gone.

Perhaps this has driven the interest in the bridge construction. Throughout the summer, we’ve seen countless people stopping their walks to watch the construction. Readers frequently call to alert us to various milestones in the project, and we know people are excited by the updates we provide regularly.

We hope that this newfound appreciation of the bridge continues, and that residents will be understanding of any delays that Michigan weather may provide.

As we’ve seen this year, there are some very hard-working professionals doing everything they can to finish the bridge in a timely manner, and for decades to come, we will be the ones to reap the benefits of their labor.

We ask that everyone remain patient just a little while longer and know that when the project is in fact finally completed, we will ghave a beautiful new structure our city can be proud of.

 

Opinions expressed are those of the editorial board consisting of Publisher Michael Caldwell and editors Ambrosia Neldon, Craig Haupert, Ted Yoakum and Scott Novak.