Province to save Miramichi bridge as link for off-road-vehicle trails

The days were numbered for the 71-year-old Anderson Bridge in Miramichi.

The bridge, reduced to single-lane traffic in 2016 because of its deteriorating condition,was set to be demolished once work finished onits replacement over theNorthwest Miramichi River.

But on Friday, the New Brunswick transportation and infrastructure minister announced a change of plans for the span along Route 8.

"The link over the Northwest Miramichi River can still be very useful,"Richard Ames said while standing near the bridge.

Ames said once the new bridge is complete, the department will turn the old one over tothe Department of Natural Resources and Energy Developmentto become part of a network of off-road-vehicle trails.

It was a welcome announcement for all-terrain vehicle and snowmobile users and their associations.

"This is just great," said Jacques Ouellette, the development co-ordinator with QuadNB. "I think it's themost important announcement that we've [had] in our 25 years of existing."

WATCH | 'The core of the web is this bridge'

Province to maintain old bridge for off-road vehicle use

15 days ago

Duration 0:41

QuadNB's development co-ordinator says the Anderson Bridge, built more than 70 years ago, would serve as a key link over the Northwest Miramichi River for trails the association has planned in the Miramichi region.

Ouellette said the association has planned a regional network of off-road vehicle trails, which he described as a webthat would link up at the bridge.

"The core of the web is this bridge," he said.

Brad Mann, past president of Snowmobile New Brunswick, said the bridge would allow snowmobilers to get across the river without worrying about ice conditions.

"It's well overdue," Mann said. "It's a great announcement and in collaboration with the two federations, it'll certainly help our industry."

Representatives of the groups credited local MLAs for their work over the years on the issue.

Ames told reporters that the cost to keep the old bridge in place is still being examined.

"It doesn't sound like it's going to be an astronomical expense," Ames said, saying he doesn't believe the structure needs significant work to be kept open for trail users.

"It doesn't look like it will take a lot. We're talking snowmobiles and quads. Safety first though, we gotta look at that."

In 2017 the provincial and federal governments announced they would jointly spend $94 million to replace the Anderson Bridge.

Ames wasn't able to provide the latest cost estimate.

Asked when the new bridge is expected to be finished, Ames said he hopes it will be this fall.

"But anything's possible," he said. "You know, I'm not hearing any different, butit could be delayed."