The Warren County Board of Supervisors made the right decision in passing along a resolution to allow the Vicksburg Bridge Commission to consider opening the U.S. 80 Bridge to daily pedestrian and bicyclist traffic.

The resolution the supervisors approved Monday following an executive session to discuss the matter “asks the bridge commission to take such action as it deems reasonable and appropriate to open the 18-foot wide roadway for pedestrians and bicycle traffic on a daily basis.”

Hurdles remain in getting the historic bridge open year-round for bicyclists and pedestrians, primarily the Kansas City Railroad, which leases the rail portion of the bridge and has made it clear they are not in favor of allowing such traffic on a daily basis.

The cloud of a potential court case looms, but we hope KCR officials will get on board.

Friends of the Vicksburg Bridge, who have put this initiative at the forefront this year, are excited about the decision from the board of supervisors in allowing the bridge commission to take up the matter.

“We are thrilled about the passing of the resolution today that instructs the Vicksburg Bridge Commission to take such actions as it deems necessary to open the bridge to pedestrians and bicyclists,” the organization said in a statement. “This vote will enhance the quality of life and health of our community. This also creates opportunities for tremendous economic and tourism benefits … most of all we get to share this historic bridge with everyone else. We thank the Warren County Board of Supervisors, who have been most helpful throughout this process.”

We too believe this a positive step in not only developing the Mississippi River front and enhances an area of Vicksburg that is already popular with locals and tourists, but is also a benefit to the community in creating a healthy lifestyle.

Now it’s up to the Vicksburg Bridge Commission to make the decision and we encourage those commissioners to act on behalf of the majority of the people in our community.

It’s the right thing to do.