‘Deteriorating’ N.B. covered bridge closed

The covered bridge in Notre-Dame, N.B., has been closed due to its deteriorating condition.

A covered bridge in Notre-Dame, NB has been closed for safety reasons.

Department of Transportation and Infrastructure [DTI] spokesperson Jacob MacDonald said the Poirier Covered Bridge was closed to traffic on July 2 due to its “deteriorating condition” and is beginning to review options for the structure.

Built in 1942, the 41-metre bridge stands over the Cocagne River roughly 30 minutes north of Moncton.

Road closure signs at one of the entrances to the bridge have been thrown in a nearby ditch and the concrete slabs used as a road block have been shifted so that vehicles can cross it.

“Department staff have since been made aware of the discarded barricades and we will soon be installing guiderails on both sides of the bridge in the interest of public safety,” said MacDonald in an email.

Ginette LeBlanc lives about 100 metres away and said the closure has had a big impact on the people in the community.

“It’s unbelievable the amount of people that take wedding pictures, graduation pictures with the covered bridge. We’ve talked to the government and they say they don’t know yet what they’re going to do with it,” said LeBlanc.

MacDonald said DTI has started reviewing options for the 41-metre bridge, but the associated cost cannot be determined right now.

“Improvements to detour roads have been made for better access to the area around the bridge,” said MacDonald.

LeBlanc pointed out a few areas where the wood has rotted on the structure, but feels like it could be fixed by the province.

“Right now they’re not even saying if they’re going to fix it, if they’re going to replace it, or if they’re going to tear it down all together and have the road closure completely,” said LeBlanc.

Shane Fitzsimmons also lives nearby and like LeBlanc, he’s hoping for some answers.

“A lot of people have bought a place, property around the area, to enjoy the river. Four-wheeling activities, snowmobiling in the wintertime including myself and now we have no access to go across the river whatsoever,” said Fitzsimmons. “We need some answers about what they’re going to do with the bridge. Whether they’re going to rebuild it or if they’re going to replace it or fix it.”

Robert Babineau has a sawmill and maple sugar shack a few kilometres from the bridge but now has to take a detour to get there.

“I’ve got to go all the way around. Gives me 40 kilometres a day and I’m here six days a week,” said Babineau. “It gives me 240 kilometres extra. I mean, the wear and tear on my truck, plus the fuel.”

Covered Bridges Conservation Association of New Brunswick president Raymond Boucher told CTV News in February there were once 343 covered bridges in New Brunswick during the 1950s, but only 58 remain.

The William Mitton Bridge in Riverview was torn down in February because it had been deteriorating for years and could not be saved.

The Shepody River #3 Covered Bridge near Riverside-Albert was dismantled this spring, but will be replaced with a single-lane modular bridge.

A modular bridge will also be constructed next to the Wheaton Covered Bridge in Sackville, but will not likely be ready until late 2026.

For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.