The Bridge on Two Sides of the River

In the town of Marlowe, a wide river separates the east side from the west side.

For many years, people on the east had a new hospital, a large library, and clean water pipes.

People on the west had only one small clinic and an old road full of holes.

Then the city decided to build a new bridge across the river.

Everyone was excited, but the plan soon became a problem.

The bridge was going to cost a lot of money, so the city had to choose between the bridge and other projects.

Some people said the west side needed the bridge most, because workers there spent two hours each day travelling to their jobs.

Others argued that repairing the old road was cheaper and would help more families.

After months of meetings, the city found a solution: it built a smaller bridge and used the saved money to fix the road as well.

The new bridge opened last spring, and now the two sides of Marlowe feel like one town.