Delta South MLA Vicki Huntington is calling on the province to authorize the reconstruction of the Ladner Lagoon footbridge.
She says the provincial bureaucracy is responsible for blocking repeated local efforts to reconnect the popular trail system.
On Monday, the independent MLA met with Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resources Steve Thomson to discuss local issues, including the footbridge reconstruction delay.
"The government needs to know the people of Ladner and the Corporation of Delta have been not-so patiently waiting for the province to sign a lease that will let the municipality rebuild the bridge," said Huntington.
"The Kiwanis Club has committed to pay for the construction, Delta will pay for the maintenance and labour, and all we are asking is please, let us rebuild our little footbridge."
It has been years since the old footbridge's condition forced its removal.
"The province built it in the first place and officials now seem to think the entire environmental integrity of the estuary is at stake if the two-foot wide, 20-foot long bridge is replaced," said Huntington.
"It is nonsense and at this stage, only Minister Thomson can break the logjam."
She did say Thomson and his staff appear sympathetic.
Prior to its removal in 2009, the footbridge connected the Ladner Harbour Sewage Lagoon Dyke Trail with Ladner Harbour Park.
