New Brunswick to lose another covered bridge

A covered bridge near Fundy National Park that's been closed for nearly a year will be taken down, leaving 57 covered bridges in a province that once had hundreds. 

Heather Russell, the Fundy Albert deputy mayor, said she's had official news that the Shepody River No. 3 covered bridge will be dismantled and a new bridge will go up in its place this summer.

The 19-metre covered bridge was built in 1903 but had to be closed because of "significant" structural deterioration, the province said.

"It was just pure relief," Russell said of the replacement plan.

The bridge crosses the Shepody River in Germantown, a drive of about 65 kilometres south of Moncton, and will be replaced by a single-lane modular bridge this summer.

The Rossiter family has been waiting for the decision since the bridge was closed last June.

"They're excited. They can't wait for the new bridge," Stephanie Rossiter, whose parents have lived two minutes from the bridge for more than 50 years, said Tuesday..

Sylvia and Hilyard Rossiter have been taking a 20-minute detour to cross Marsh Road and get onto Route 114. But the detour was becoming a safety concern because the dirt portions turn muddy in the winter and spring.

"It was also a major concern for my brother and I because, you know, we worried about the ambulance or fire truck in the event of an emergency, and this way it takes that worry off," Stephanie said.

She said other people live on their road closer to the Marsh Road crossing, but her parents are affected the most when there's no bridge.

Russell agreed the detour had become a  concern for her and council. 

"We've seen pictures as well," she said. "It's a dirt road and you know what happens in the spring? When mud becomes a little bit wet with some frost coming out of the ground, it just becomes a complete disaster."

Russell, who became deputy mayor in January while the mayor's position was empty, immediately shared the news of a replacement with the Rossiter family.

"It was a great afternoon ending my day when I was able to call them and let them know," she said.

Some people, however, are disappointed New Brunswick will lose another historic bridge.

"When I did find out, I was totally upset," said Ray Boucher, the president of the Covered Bridges Conservation Association of New Brunswick.

"It killed my day. I couldn't do another thing after that." 

His association has worked with the government to save bridges in the past, Boucher said, pointing to the Vaughan Creek  bridge in St. Martins as one of their success stories.

In the 1950s, the province had more than 350 covered bridges, he said.

Boucher said he doesn't see how a challenge to the Shepody Bridge decision could succeed.

"How strong are petitions … as far as the government is concerned? It has some weight, but how many individuals live in that area? I would say that the numbers are probably too small to be very effective."

Russell said she has seen comments about saving the bridge and doesn't "disagree." She said the bridge could be repurposed to a walking bridge, but that's up to the province.

"Our goal right now is to make sure that the Rossiter family can get in and out of their home safely," she said.

Russell said Fundy Albert will meet Department of Transportation and Infrastructure officials next  month to discuss the new bridge.