Jemseg bridge closure and Gagetown ferry shutdown a rural concern

With the Jemseg bridge closed and the Gagetown ferry out of service, some people in the Jemseg area fear that as things get financially tighter, they will be forgotten, while others don't seem to care.

Resident Erin Turner is one of those who isn't concerned. The temporary and possible permanent closure of the old Jemseg bridge isn't a big deal.

"It doesn't make any difference to me. There's a whole new highway right there that can be used, I think the bridge should be torn down, possibly, and put that money into roads, schools, anything like that."

The bridge was closed last Friday, due to the results of a recent inspection, according to the Department of Transportation.

The department says it will cost at least $3 million to repair and it may not be worth it.

The old bridge is near the new, four-lane highway which is fine for most drivers but farmers have a different set of problems.

Every year, strawberry farmer Raymond Young and other farmers, need access to the old highway for their equipment.

"I can't go on the four lane with my tractors, because they're too slow," he said. "It would just be an accident looking for a place to happen. So it's very important to have the bridge working."

Future uncertain

Another transportation route may be closed permanently as well. The ferry that connected Jemseg with the Village of Gagetown was taken out of service and its future is uncertain.

Jean Wagstaff farms in Gagetown, but he took his tractor over the bridge like he does every year, to cut wood and bring it home. Now the bridge is out and he can't get it home.

When asked if it makes sense to spend millions to restore a bridge and ferry for a few, Wagstaff says 'yes.'

"I think it's a lot more common sense than some of the things the government does," he said.

Edmund Calder worries about eroding rural communities.

"They're taking so much away from the rural areas," he said. "The ferry at Lower Jemseg is in question, now we're losing a bridge, and it really hampers operation of travelling back and forth."

The fate of both the ferry and the bridge are still unknown.

The Department of Transportation still refuses to hand over the inspection report that led to the closure of the Jemseg bridge. Minister Roger Melanson said Thursday it would be made public, but would not indicate when.