Why the knuckle-busting barriers on Mill Towns Trail bridge?

Barrier on Mill Towns Trail bridge

Josh Rowan sent me this photo of barriers on one of the Mill Towns Trail bridges.

He notes that the barriers are very narrow, forcing bicyclists to put their feet down lest they risk scrunching their knuckles if one of their handlebar-mounted brake levers makes contact with the barrier as they pass through.

Anyone have details?

3 Comments

  1. Arlen Malecha said:

    My guess would be to keep snowmobiles from using the bridge to cross.

    November 3, 2008
  2. Griff Wigley said:

    Josh wondered that, too, Arlen, but MTT is a recreational trail, intended to serve snowmobiles.

    November 3, 2008
  3. John S. Thomas said:

    Snowmobiles are authorized on the trails, but the bridge has a wooden deck, and would be decimated by the steel spikes of the snowmobile tracks.

    Also, the snow comes off the bridge decks faster than it would on the trails.

    When the snow flies, snowmobiles can utilize the areas around the bridge, and cross country skiers can still utilize the bridge with these barriers.

    It is not uncommon to see wooden decked bridges blocked in this manner during the winter.

    November 3, 2008

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