Centennial Bridge in Miramichi closed until December for rehabilitation project

The Centennial Bridge in Miramichi, N.B., is closed until December as part of a rehabilitation project.

The Centennial Bridge in Miramichi, N.B., is closed until December.

The bridge will be closed from Monday until Dec. 1 as part of a rehabilitation project.

Miramichi Mayor Adam Lordon says residents told him traffic wasn’t so bad Monday morning as the changes took place.

“They were pleasantly surprised by how easy it was to traverse around the [Miramichi] River, but I think it’s only fair to acknowledge that today is sort of a half holiday as well. So, you know, a lot of folks aren’t working, schools are not in, so I think tomorrow will be the real test of getting a sense of it,” he says.

Lordon adds his biggest concern over the next eight months or so is traffic congestion.

“That will make it challenging for many members of our community to go about their everyday lives,” he says.

The Centennial Bridge, which opened in 1967, carries traffic from Route 8 and Route 11 across the Miramichi River and accommodates about 13,700 vehicles every day.

Many of these commuters are preparing for the disruption of the bridge closing. Sheila Trevors says it will have a huge impact on everyone in the area.

“Simply from the standpoint of traffic and the ability to get around, but it’s to be determined. I’m open to what is going to happen, I’ll just have to make some alternate arrangements I guess,” she says.

Paul Savoie is also shifting his commute. He drove his mother from the Acadian Peninsula to Miramichi for an eye appointment Monday.

“We had to plan in advance,” says Savoie. “It took us at least 25 to 30 minutes more to go to her doctor’s appointment because it was just beside the bridge.”

Work on a $245 million rehabilitation project began in 2012 after an assessment in 2009 found a full-scale rehabilitation could extend the service life of the bridge by another 50-60 years.

The project consists of nine phases. The closure of the bridge is part of Phase 8A of the project which focuses on rehab of the bridge deck on the north and south spans.

Savoie says he knows the bridge needs to be repaired but notes it’s still an inconvenience.

Karen Hallihan says she wishes the province would put in a new structure. She says she doesn’t like travelling over the Centennial Bridge.

“I travel that way a lot, but I don’t travel anymore because of the bridge closure and the potholes in it. I’m scared of losing my car going through,” Hallihan says.

While the bridge is set to reopen in December, it is scheduled to close again from April 1, 2027 to Dec. 1, 2027 to complete more repairs. The municipality says an additional closure of the bridge will be needed for the final phase of the project to replace the bridge deck and the centre spans.

Full completion of the project is expected for 2029.

Mayor Lordon says the city has put a temporary plan in place for fire and policing services during the closure of the bridge, including a temporary fire station in Douglastown. He says it will be staffed to the same level as the others.

“We’re working with the union, our staff are, to put in place additional staffing resources as well to make sure we can get through this period in a smooth manor and with adequate resources in place,” says Lordon.

He says the city will monitor the situation and adjust in its services.

With files from CTV Atlantic’s Derek Haggett.

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