Closed Jemseg Bridge may not be repaired, Roger Melanson says

The New Brunswick government may choose not to repair theoldJemseg Bridge, which was closed last week following an inspection.

Transportation Minister Roger Melanson says the bridge, on Route 105,was closed "because of safety reasons" and that itwould cost about $3 millionto fix.

"It may not be the right investment to do at this time because of our financial situation," he said.

"We're assessing the situation now as we speak."

Melanson says the government hastwo options.

"One is to invest and retrofit this bridge, or to, I guess, eliminate this bridge and get rid of this asset. We haven't made that decision yet."

No information about what the inspection found has been released, but Melanson says the report will be made public. He did not provide a timeline.

The bridge, which crosses the Jemseg River,was part of the old Trans-Canada Highway.

Melanson points out there's a new bridge that's part of the new highway right next to the old bridge.

Motorists are being redirected.

The old bridge was closed on May 22.