Prince of Wales Bridge gate breached just hours after being installed

New fencing was put up Tuesday at the Prince of Wales Bridgeto deter trespassers, but it didn't prove very effective.

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Gates put up Tuesday were breached later in the day, and people could be seen on the bridge in the evening.

KitchissippiCoun. Jeff Leiper says the vandalism and trespassing is counterproductive.

"I'm disappointed," said Leiper. "My caution to people who want to use the bridge is that if the chain-link fence continues to get broken, the city is almost certain to go ahead andin order to protect itself from liability ...put in place that more expensive solution."

City may not have choice

The city was initially going to spend more than $250,000 to put upgates prohibiting access, but after public outcrythe cost was dropped to about $46,000, according to city officials.

Leiper said if the vandalism doesn't stop, the city may not have a choice.

The citybought the bridge a decade ago for $399,000 with the idea ofusing it as an LRT extension, but Transport Canada still regulates the disused railway crossing.

After a Dec. 2, 2015 meeting with officials from the cities of Ottawaand Gatineau,Transport Canada wrote to make it clear it expectsthem to "permanently barricade the bridge to stop trespassers." The letter included a pointed reminderthat the city is obliged to protect the safety and security of the public while they're on the property.