To the editor:

As most residents of the city of Vicksburg who would love to see the Old Mississippi River Bridge open to pedestrians, I am thankful for Mayor George Flaggs Jr. in supporting the Friends of the Old Mississippi River Bridge, communicating with U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Mississippi, as well as the Warren County Bridge Commission.

On Monday, Jan. 7, at the Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting, the mayor announced his proposal and support for the Old Mississippi River Bridge to be open to pedestrians.

The Old Mississippi River Bridge has been in talks and negotiations for quite some time now between Kansas City Southern Railroad, which has objections, the Warren County Bridge Commission and Friends of the Old Mississippi River Bridge, which has been working very hard to make this happen.

The mayor made a request to meet with KCS on the day of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting, believing he can address the objections of KCS and come to a resolution.

Two days after the Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting, on Wednesday, Jan. 9, the mayor attended a meeting with the Warren County Bridge Commission in which he was successful with his presentation. Later that same evening, the mayor received a letter that KCS has agreed to meet with him.

I have faith that when the meeting takes place with our mayor and KCS, a resolution will shortly follow and pedestrians may enjoy the Old Mississippi River Bridge hopefully in 2019!

It is times like this, as a city-voting resident, that make me appreciate and realize how beneficial City of Vicksburg Mayor George Flaggs Jr.’s history of extensive legislative experience is and the positive impact it has for our city. His relationships with many state and national leaders are helping to move Vicksburg forward in many ways.

Gina Hendrickson

Vicksburg