logo
Province reluctant to admit rickety N.B. bridge was slated for demolition, documents show

Province reluctant to admit rickety N.B. bridge was slated for demolition, documents show

CBCa day ago

When the William Mitton Covered Bridge in Riverview was torn down last winter, many were heartbroken.
But its demolition was not surprising.
Closed to traffic since 1981, the bridge developed a dramatic sag in the middle, its abutments looked ready to pop, and several beams hung lazily from the roof they once held up.
Documents obtained by CBC News after a right to information request reveal the New Brunswick government's reluctance to publicly admit the bridge was slated for demolition, despite having made plans a year and a half earlier to get rid of it.
The documents also show an official with the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure called for a provincial strategy to handle aging covered bridges in a less reactive way.
"We are at a point in time when a discussion has to be made to invest in the covered bridge or dismantle," Glen MacDonald, the assistant director of bridge maintenance, wrote in June 2023. "There is no funding allotted for this bridge at this time."
But when CBC reported on the bridge's rough condition the next month, a department spokesperson would only say the future of the bridge was "yet to be determined."
Just days after the CBC story, a department superintendent, Jean-Marc Arseneault, wrote in an email that he concluded the bridge was beyond repair.
"The structure should be removed before someone gets hurt," Arsenault said.
That same day, Corey White of the planning and project development division wrote: "I know I am speaking to the choir here, but we really need direction from [the province] on these bridges as we will see lots more of these last-minute issues — and we can manage these in an orderly fashion if we were to get the strategy approved."
By August, DTI was drafting diagrams of how to remove the bridge.
WATCH | 'The structure should be removed before someone gets hurt.'
Bridge's demise was obvious, but province was slow to admit demolition plan
40 minutes ago
Duration 4:09
The William Mitton Covered Bridge in Riverview was demolished in February 2025, but documents CBC News obtained show the province had decided its fate long before.
That November, the department received an inspection report from a hired consultant in Fredericton.
"The structure should be demolished and removed as soon as possible," said the report from Hilcon Ltd., adding that it was too dangerous to have workers near it.
"In our opinion, a complete structural collapse is imminent and controlled demolition is preferable to allowing the structure to collapse into the watercourse below."
Most of the emails CBC received were written when Blaine Higgs and the Progressive Conservatives were in power.
Despite the dire warnings from provincial officials and experts, the bridge remained for over a year until its removal in February 2025.
Throughout 2024, emails show, the spokesperson for the department was withholding telling the media about the bridge's fate.
"[CTV News is] looking for a definitive answer on DTI's plans for saving this bridge, but I know we've refrained from speaking to this point in both of our previous responses," spokesperson Jacob MacDonald wrote in August 2024.
In October, staff from the Town of Riverview public works department also began send photos of the bridge to department officials.
"Conditions are getting worse," a Riverview official wrote.
By that November, the provincial officials were also getting impatient, with one writing, "We need to strike while the iron is hot … each day that passes makes it harder to remove safely."
They were also drafting "communication plans" for two scenarios: either the bridge would be removed or it would collapse.
Ray Boucher of the New Brunswick Covered Bridge Association said in an interview that his group has tried hard to save the bridge but that it ultimately came down to a lack of funds.
He said the department was "more than fair" giving his group time to try to raise money for the bridge, and that's why the removal was so delayed.
"They virtually gave me two years before they finally decided that it had to come down," Boucher said. "So under the Higgs government, I've got nothing but praise."
Chuck Chiasson, who has been transportation minister since the Liberals were elected last fall, there was a "loose strategy" on managing covered bridges when he took over.
"But I want something more comprehensive that's going to be more forward-looking that we can say which ones are going to be at risk, which ones do we need to start mitigating now , nd how are we going to do that?" Chiasson said, but didn't give an exact timeline.
Boucher said that he believes the department looks at the covered bridges on a case-by-case basis, and if there is a strategy, "I've never seen it."
Officials do the best they can with their budget, but "a covered bridge is not an asset, it's a liability," he said. "That's the way the province looks at it."
"DTI, their mandate is to get you from one side of a river to the other side of the river," Boucher said.
He added that it might make more sense to have the Tourism Department take over some of the covered bridges not actively carrying traffic.
When asked about this, Chiasson said it could be discussed in the future. He also confirmed that another aging covered bridge near Fundy National Park had recently been torn down as well.
In 1953, New Brunswick had 340 bridges, according to the covered bridge group. Today there are 57.
How Vermont protects its covered bridges
Not far away is New Brunswick's American cousin in terms of covered bridge fame.
Vermont, with more than 100 covered bridges, adopted an official strategy to preserve them in 2003. The strategy outlines how bridges are prioritized as well as how they are to be maintained while keeping their historic character.
"It's a very good document," said JB McCarthy, a covered bridge expert with the Vermont Agency of Transportation. "We've been using it for years." There's also a state covered bridge committee that monitors the bridges and highlights those in need of repair, he said.
McCarthy said he's not aware of any case of a covered bridge in Vermont being taken down because of disrepair.
When shown a photo of the Mitton bridge in its final years, he said he's never seen a covered bridge in Vermont get "quite that bad." The bridges are important for tourism, he added.
"I think the state as a whole has an eye on these things and does the best we can to try to maintain them and squeeze them in for projects when we can."
Watching the Wheaton Covered Bridge
While the Mitton bridge is relegated to a memory, another covered bridge in southeast New Brunswick, the Wheaton Covered Bridge, still stands just outside Sackville. Standing high in contrast with the flat, windswept Tantramar Marsh, the bridge is beloved by locals.
Mainly used by farmers to access their fields, the bridge was abruptly shut down last summer after a worrying inspection.
Chiasson announced changes would be made to divert traffic around the Wheaton Covered Bridge, over a modular bridge, to preserve the older bridge's history while addressing farmers' need to use the road.
Local Green Party MLA Megan Mitton has been advocating a fix for the Wheaton Covered Bridge and praised the proposal for both goals of preserving history and allowing farmers access.
"In terms of just our local culture, people go get their prom photos and their wedding photos taken there," she said.
"So there does need to be a strategy that's less reactive and actually plans out what's going to need to be done to deal with our bridges."

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Angry, red-winged blackbirds of death resume their seasonal attacks on Toronto denizens
Angry, red-winged blackbirds of death resume their seasonal attacks on Toronto denizens

National Post

time34 minutes ago

  • National Post

Angry, red-winged blackbirds of death resume their seasonal attacks on Toronto denizens

New to the city, I'd heard whispers of Toronto's angry birds. I'd even mocked signage on the waterfront warning me to beware their avian wrath. Article content Now, in a plot twist one might expect from Edgar Allen Poe, one of the winged devils has set itself up in a tree outside my West-end condominium. Article content Article content 'It appears to be protecting its nest and has been observed attacking pedestrians who walk nearby. We advise all residents to exercise caution when walking in the area. Please see the attached photo for reference.' Article content Article content I scrolled down my email and locked eyes with the creature that has been described as 'feathered and a tiny bit ferocious' — the notorious red-winged blackbird. Article content Attacks by this creature are, by no means, a new or rare phenomenon, I've come to learn since moving to this city, which has fielded complaints about 'attacks' the last two years. Though most likely go unreported. Article content Fearful of nothing, these winged demons have been known to attack large animals, including horses, and, as we know too well, poor, unsuspecting Torontonians just going about their business. Article content Dive-bombing, red-winged blackbirds are recognizable by their red and yellow ' shoulder badges, ' reminiscent of military stripes. But even this description may not keep you safe, as you'll never see them coming. These ferocious harpies are known to swoop out of trees, attacking passersby from behind, striking at their scalps with their talons or beaks. Article content Article content Attacks begin in the spring, when the winged polygynous devils begin to multiply. Article content Article content The species typically starts nesting and incubating its eggs in early June, Nancy Barrett, director-at-large of the Toronto Ornithological Club, well-versed in these flying agents of Cthulhu, told Global News last year at this time. But Torontonians should expect attacks anytime during their mating season, which lasts from late April until the end of July. Article content It's at this time when the highly polygynous males enjoy the company of up to 15 female mates, described as brownish in colour and more subdued. Article content Despite their vicious territorial defence system, 'one-quarter to one-half of nestlings turn out to have been sired by someone other than the territorial male.' Perhaps this explains the males' aggressive nature. Article content I try to empathize with the creature outside my building, telling myself, I'd be frantic and aggressive, too, if I had to fly around and defend 15 nests. The poor fellas are simply exhausted. Perhaps I could reason with the beast, explaining the benefits of monogamy.

Alberta elementary school ditches library and other rooms because of ‘significant growth'
Alberta elementary school ditches library and other rooms because of ‘significant growth'

CTV News

time43 minutes ago

  • CTV News

Alberta elementary school ditches library and other rooms because of ‘significant growth'

Rocky View Schools says several of its schools, such as Airdrie's École Edwards Elementary, are making changes due to 'significant growth' without provincial support. (File/Google Maps) Parents of a southern Alberta elementary school are being informed of some big changes that could affect their students' learning in the fall. Administration at École Edwards Elementary in Airdrie, Alta., says the school will be adding a grade in September as the institution shifts from a K-5 to a K-6 school. Enrollment will jump from 675 students to approximately 850, according to a letter sent to families on Monday. To accommodate these students, administration said the school's library, music room and wellness centre will all be converted into classroom space. In addition, École Edwards says it will adopt a 'team-teaching' model for some grades, where multiple teachers will teach students in the larger spaces. Administrators said a request to the province was made for modular classrooms but 'was not approved.' 'Nooks and shared spaces' Staff said library books will be moved to different locations throughout the school: five classroom libraries will be created in the new Grade 6 classrooms; a smaller collection of books will be provided to K-3 students; and additional books will be distributed in 'nooks and shared spaces.' 'These changes allow us to meet the instructional needs of our students within our existing footprint, while continuing to prioritize access to quality resources and enriching learning environments,' administrators wrote in the letter. 'Had to be creative' Rocky View Schools (RVS), the board that operates École Edwards, says the changes at the facility are due to an influx of students in the district. A spokesperson for RVS said the board has been trying to make do with available resources. 'RVS has been experiencing significant growth for years without new schools or enough modular classrooms to keep pace,' Tara de Weerd, RVS communications director, said in an email to CTV News Tuesday. 'The government recently approved new schools but with the three to four years it takes to build a school and only five modular classrooms approved this year, schools have had to be creative about balancing space within their schools maximizing every single room.' de Weerd says other schools in the district have had to make similar moves to École Edwards. 'I can assure you our administrators do an excellent job of continuing to prioritize literacy, wellness and other important aspects of student learning,' she said. Meanwhile, École Edwards says classrooms will be packing up and moving to the new spaces throughout June. 'We recognize that change can bring many emotions. Our focus is to ensure all students feel supported, valued and excited about their learning experience at École Edwards,' officials said. CTV News has reached out to Alberta Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides' office about these changes.

Donation of Turkish-language books expands Charlottetown library's multilingual collection
Donation of Turkish-language books expands Charlottetown library's multilingual collection

CBC

timean hour ago

  • CBC

Donation of Turkish-language books expands Charlottetown library's multilingual collection

Social Sharing The Charlottetown Library Learning Centre has added another language section to its multilingual collection. Dilek Yesil, a member of the Turkish community in P.E.I., donated 20 Turkish-language books of a variety of genres to the library. "It wasn't easy to choose, but there are children's books… there are fictions, poetry and there are authors who are internationally recognized Turkish authors," Yesil said. "We have been living here for five years now, and this Island gave us so many opportunities." Donating books to the library was a way to give back to the community while also honouring the memory of her father, who died of lung cancer 25 years ago. "He valued education and especially new language learning," Yesil said. "There is a saying in Turkish: to speak a new language is to gain a new soul. This is one of the reasons that we donated these books." 'Cultural richness' Before moving to P.E.I., Yesil connected with and started building what was then a rather small Turkish community. Now, there are more than 100 people who are part of that community. "Islanders are not those who [are] born here and raised here. We are also the Islanders who choose to make here as our homes, and we are proud to contribute [to] the cultural richness here," she said. "We know them, so maybe it's a good idea to know us." Yesil said three of the donated books stand out to her as being important contributions: a Turkish edition of Anne of Green Gables, a picture dictionary and a book by the founder of the modern-day republic of Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. Meeting the community's needs Until Yesil's donation, the Charlottetown library had no Turkish-language books, said Krystal Dionne, a regional librarian with the P.E.I. Public Library Service. While they've only been on the shelf for a few weeks, some of them have already been borrowed. "I think that the library — as we evolve into these community hubs as we have been doing — it just provides people with exposure to new cultures, new ideas, new information," Dionne said. "This is just another addition to that... way of interacting with our community." The library is always looking to expand its multilingual collection, which currently features about a dozen languages, Dionne said. But material in some languages is easier to access than others, she said, which can make it a bit more challenging to expand the number of multilingual titles compared to English ones. "We're definitely here to serve the entire population, and as our community grows and changes and evolves we want to meet their needs in the best way that we can." Dionne said the library benefits from donations like Yesil's. "To have this addition given to us in such a lovely way is really wonderful to see and it really helps us expand our growing collection," she said.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store