Century-old covered bridge closed, and residents blame neglect
Built in 1916, Wheaton Bridge in Tantramar Marsh area was still used regularly
CBC News ·
The Department of Transportation and Infrastructure says structural issues were found during a recent inspection of the bridge. (Tourism New Brunswick)
People living in communities around the Tantramar Marsh are growing concerned about the future of a covered bridge in the area.
The Wheaton Bridge on the High Marsh Road was built in 1916 and was still regularly used by residents.
But earlier this month barricades were put up and detours put in place.
The Department of Transportation and Infrastructure says structural issues were found during a recent inspection.
"DTI
bridge staff are still conducting further evaluation of the bridge and
there is currently no timeline for its reopening," wrote a departmental
spokesperson in an email to CBC News.
Information Morning - Moncton7:09
Covered bridge closure
Another
of New Brunswick's iconic covered bridges has closed to traffic, for
now. Khalil Akhtar visited the Wheaton Bridge on the Isthmus of
Chignecto, and spoke to Thaddeus Holownia, an artist who lives and works
in Jolicure, near Sackville.
Jolicure resident Thaddeus Holowina said the province hasn't paid much attention to the bridge in recent years.
"It's been decades since anything's happened here," said Holowina.
"Aren't
these heritage buildings around the province? Isn't this a major
tourism attraction, that people come and go through all the covered
bridges in New Brunswick?"
Holowina said the bridge is often the most "direct" route for people in the area.
He's
also concerned about what the closure will mean for farmers in the area
who rely on the bridge to transport hay and other crops.
Only 58 covered bridges remain
Back in the 1950s, New Brunswick had 340 covered bridges.
Now, only 58 of the iconic structures remain.
The state of New Brunswick's famed covered bridges is "bleak," according to one conservation group.
Ray
Boucher, the Covered Bridges Conservation Association president, said
if preserved correctly, the structures can outlast concrete and steel
bridges, but there hasn't always been the political will to do so.
Information Morning - Moncton8:37
Covered bridges
As
a well-used covered bridge closes to traffic on the Tantramar Marsh,
we check in with the Covered Bridges Conservation Association, and
ask, are New Brunswick's covered bridges getting the care they need?
Our summer host Khalil Akhtar spoke to Ray Boucher, president of the
association.
"The history of covered bridges in New Brunswick is poor in that they've been neglected," said Boucher.
"They
would rather see the bridge sort of fall apart and disappear so that
they can put up their new steel and concrete [bridges]."
Boucher said covered bridges are most at risk of damage at their abutments, where the bridge is connected to the ground.
Some covered bridges in Europe date back over 400 years, he said — evidence that they can last if properly maintained.
Hey Higgy if you had fixed the bridge in my old stomping grounds some folks may have been willing to vote or ya
Lou Bell
Really , I highly doubt this bridge in the
middle of nowhere would attract more than a handful of individual
tourists . Sounds like it's more a matter of a little inconvenience for
locals who would miss their " shortcut " . I'd imagine this would be
another " major issue " that'll be brought up by the MLA for the area as
something that would need done immediately ( if not sooner ! ) .
David Amos
Pending approval
Reply to Lou Bell
This was one of the "shortcuts" folks were using to get around Higgy's evil COVID 19 roadblock
Marge Timmons
Sadly, this is nothing new once politicians realized that spending money on maintenance doesn't buy votes.
MR Cain
Reply to Marge Timmons
nor is there a photo op
David Amos
Reply to Marge Timmons
Bingo
Allan McPartland
Does not surprise me - this government in
particular but also governments passed have kicked the can down the road
regarding road and bridge maintenance and other infrastructures in
general - Just look at the state of the Hampton Road in Rothesay and
Quispamsis- Home to both the Premier and the AG and yet they allow this
road to deteriorate to the extent that one needs a military styled to
traverse it - Most of the roads in our province are like that - minimum
maintenance only - only do the minimum - I’ve just spent the last 3 days
cruising the back roads of the New England states on my bike - fabulous
roads - well maintained- no potholes and very few “tar snakes” to speak
of - Same weather and traffic conditions as New Brunswick yet somehow
Maine and New Hampshire somehow manage to maintain there road better - I
would love to vacation in NB on my motorbike but having just spent
another $800 on front suspension seals - 2nd set in 50k I cannot afford
to ride NB roads anymore so my vacation money is now used in New England
MR Cain
Reply to Allan McPartland
That is the problem; we don't have enough
people to fund everything we need funded. The New England states have
millions of people contributing to the economy.
Allan McPartland
Reply to Allan McPartland
True however Vermont has a population of 625k and their roads are pristine
David Amos
$800 on front suspension seals???
Somebody seen you coming
Reply to Allan McPartland
MR Cain
Reply to Allan McPartland
For every square mile of Vermont territory,
there is an average of 67.9 people, making Vermont the 30th most densely
populated state in the entire country. NB has a density of less than
30, with more rural areas.
Somebody seen you coming