N.B. Centennial Bridge to be closed for deck replacement from April to December

A major bridge spanning the Miramichi River in northeastern New Brunswick will be closed for repairs for eight months as of April 1.

The Centennial Bridge in Miramichi, N.B., will be closed for much of 2026 and 2027 as crews replace the deck on the north and south approach spans.

The New Brunswick government says the bridge will be closed from April 1 to Dec. 1 this year and in 2027. There will also be another closure for the final phase of the project, which involves the replacement of the decks for the centre spans.

“First, I want to say that I understand the frustration of the people in Miramichi who have been hearing about a planned closure for the last number years, only for it to not happen for one reason or another,” said Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Chuck Chiasson in a news release. “We are committed to getting this project completed and are working with our partners at the City of Miramichi and in the community to provide assistance with some of the traffic delays that will be caused by this planned closure.”

The province will provide financial relief for additional fire and police services on both sides of the bridge during the closures. There will also be a water taxi this summer.

The bridge, which spans 1.1 kilometres and is 73 metres tall, is one of the largest structures in the province. It carries Route 8 and 11 traffic across the Miramichi River.

The Department of Transportation and Infrastructure, along with the City of Miramichi, will host an open house about the construction work and mitigation measures at the Miramichi Agricultural Exhibition Association on Feb. 26.

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