SETTING ASIDE SITE CONCERNS, it is a mystery to us why a succession of operators has been allowed to transport explosives across a narrow, deteriorating concrete bridge for the past 15 years.

The problem came to public light when a Burnside engineering report said there is concern "with the narrow width of the structure and the potential for a truck to go off-road at this location."

An Orica truck running off the road, even over the steep embankments at this bridge on 21- 22 Sideroad of East Luther Grand Valley, might not be of serious concern in the normal course of events.

But the concern in this case is with trucks carrying ammonium nitrate and explosives. And the bridge spans a waterway that flows into the Grand River.

The disaster following spillage of the nitrate into such a stream requires little or no comment. There is a second peril associated with the risk.

Barely 10 years ago, a truck carrying dynamite hit a rock cut on Highway 17, caught fire, exploded and left a crater reported as 30 metres long and 4 metres deep in roadway. There were no deaths or injuries but a similar incident in Mexico killed up to 32 onlookers.

If the Orica facility is to get the permanent zoning it craves, it should have to bring access roads up to proper standards for the nature of their cargo.