Residents have reacted positively to suggestions that Government build a bridge over the Causeway and another bridge from Coney Island to Ferry Reach, according to former United Bermuda Party Works Minister Quinton Edness.

In a letter to the Editor this week, Mr. Edness says that the feedback he had received from his proposals had indicated that funding the multimillion dollar projects could be sourced from both exempted companies as well as a tax on local residents, and it was important to continue a public discussion on replacing the Causeway and building an alternative bridge.

"I'm not trying to be partisan here, I think it would help the Government to hear the views of the public. I'm concerned about the future of Bermuda because that's the lifeline of Bermuda. Look at what the people of St. George's have to go through right now."

Mr. Edness wrote to Premier Alex Scott and others in Government with the suggestion last week.

"People from all walks of life responded positively to the suggestion," he wrote.

The Causeway was severely damaged by Hurricane Fabian, and four people who were attempting to cross it during the storm were swept into the sea.

Hurricane Felix in 1995 and several other storms in the past have also inflicted serious damage to St. George's only land link to the rest of the Island and Mr. Edness is just one of many observers who believe that something needs to be done about the bridge's vulnerability to heavy storms - and the Island's vulnerability should the bridge for some reason become impassable.

The National Liberal Party's Graeme Outerbridge said last week that land reclamation efforts at the airport should be given another look to see whether the Causeway can be better protected from strong tidal surges and large waves racing through Castle Harbour.

And he also supports a Coney Island bridge.

"If the Causeway was significantly damaged again we could revert to using a secondary route which is more sheltered and safer," he said.

After Felix a Government study concluded that major work had to be done on the Causeway and some of the Island's other bridges.

By early 1998 the then-UBP Government had drawn up a list of four bridges, including the Causeway, which would be given priority that year.

But the plans to strengthen the Causeway did not proceed before the November 1998 elections which swept the UBP out of office, and current Premier Alex Scott who became the Progressive Labour Party's first Works Minister inherited the plans.

"I agree that it should have been done but I honestly don't know the answer to that question," Mr. Edness said when asked why his Government had not prioritised fixing up the Causeway and other aspects of the infrastructure for repair and maintenance work.

Government received $11 million from the United States as compensation for the maintenance of Longbird Bridge, which had been the responsibility of the US during the bases agreement.

The bridge had reached the end of its natural life but yesterday Derrick Binns, Permanent Secretary for the Works Ministry said that repairs done to Longbird Bridge in 2001 had extended its life until 2007.

"There were repairs done to Longbird Bridge and the status is that by 2007 we may need to take a closer look at what we do with that bridge," he said.

"Particularly following Fabian we want to take a good look at addressing the entire span between Blue Hole hill and the airport (including the Causeway)."

Some $3 million was spent on Longbird Bridge this year, The Royal Gazette understands. But, according to Dr. Binns, only maintenance work and no major repair work has been done in that bridge since 2001.