Late June target for new Glenelg bridge
GLENELG - Residents in the Glenelg area who've been frustrated by the lack of progress on a new bridge to replace the one that collapsed in November will have to wait a little longer.
Paul Colton, area manager for the Dept. of Transportation in Antigonish told The Journal that his department is hoping to have a new bridge installed and in service near the end of June.
"We're still in the process of getting the design done and ordering the bridges," he said Monday.
An accident involving a pulp truck caused one span of the two-span bridge crossing the St. Mary's River to collapse. The Dept. of Transportation has decided to replace both spans.
"The bridge (remaining span) that is there now… we just feel it's best to replace it with a newer bridge, possibly something that's rated for higher capacity than what's there now."
Although the department did not hold a meeting with residents in the area in recent months, as was planned, Colton said he has spoken to some residents on the phone and MLA Ron Chisholm has met with some people in the area about the bridge.
Colton said the late-June time frame is achievable "if things go along as planned."
The new structure in Glenelg will be a panel bridge. "It's similar to the one that's left there now," explains Colton. "It'll be a stronger bridge than what's there now, and it'll be a little wider. However it'll still be a single-lane structure."
He added that the new bridge would be constructed near the crossing and then placed onto abutments.
Residents have had up to 45 minutes added to their one-way commutes to work because of the detour in the absence of a bridge. The situation has also caused concerns regarding response times by fire departments because of the longer distances.
