The reopening of the East Bay Bike Path bridges was met with much pomp and circumstance on Monday, and with good reason. Every Rhode Island delegate in Congress, the governor and half the local politicians from this region were there, along with what seemed like most of the staff of the Rhode Island Department of Transportation.

They all deserved to take their bows, congratulating themselves and each other for seeing this project through to fruition. It’s great to see the bike path restored to its original status, with two dedicated spans crossing the Warren and Barrington rivers, safely distant from the buzz of motor vehicles on Route 114.

However, all should remember that this was not the state’s original plan. When the century-old railroad bridges were first closed and classified as beyond repair nearly seven years ago, there was no promise they would rise again. In fact, the state’s first plan was to tear them down and leave them down. Replacement was considered too costly.

Of course everyone living in this region knew replacement was the only option, which this newspaper advocated for from day one. The temporary bike path detours onto the Route 114 bridges were unsightly, unsafe and inferior. They significantly impaired what is one of the great assets of Bristol County — one of the most majestic, scenic and unique bike paths anywhere in the country.

This path is listed prominently in million-dollar property listings, featured in travel sites, and traveled annually by a hundred thousand, or more, bicyclists, joggers, walkers, skaters, and roller-bladers. Losing the integrity of this path would have been a massive setback for this region.

Thankfully that did not happen, but let that be a lesson for everyone in power and everyone living here. Do not accept “less than” from your government, unless there is no other choice.

In every government we’ve ever seen — local, state and federal — spending is on a constant increase. Every year, in every budget, in every aspect, government spending rises. Taxpayers should not accept fewer services, or lesser infrastructure, for more money.

The state did the right thing here, but for a time that was not the chosen path. Loud and persistent locals changed the course here.