Bridge has been blocked for months

By Christy Marsters

The Hants Journal/NovaNewsNow.com

Avon Street, Hants Boarder, resident Paul Young used to cross Kates Bridge on Tannery Road at least once a day, as it was the closest of three connecting routes leading into Hantsport.

However, the bridge was barricaded off months ago after it was deemed unsafe to cross; and all indications suggest it will be sometime next spring before the bridge is repaired.

“When the road was first blocked off, we were told it shouldn’t be too long -- a few weeks before it would be reopened,” Young said. “Then, after a couple of months, we realized that there was a growing problem here. Several people were upset by the closure…

“Yesterday (Sept. 30), a municipal councillor came campaigning at my door and he said almost all the people he talked to in this area brought up the bridge closure,” Young said.

“One in particular stated it was more than an inconvenience by citing the fact that it would take fire trucks and ambulances longer if emergencies occurred,” Young said. “There are a number of elderly people with health issues in the immediate vicinity.”

Mayor Wayne Folker said the town had people come in to assess the bridge because the town was looking to install new sidewalks and the possibility of widening the bridge.

It was then the bridge was considered unsafe for vehicles to pass, Folker said. “We’re trying every avenue to try to get it re-opened, but it doesn’t look like it’s going to happen until next year, according the Department of Transportation… It’s frustrating really.”

The biggest concern is, with having the gypsum trains running by the road, if something happens that’s one less avenue to gain quick access to the problem, Folker said. “I mean I know they have other priorities but my god… we’re taking the real brunt from this issue.”

Transportation area manager Fred Whynot said he wants the bridge done and re-opened as soon as possible. “We’re looking at complete replacement.”

The bridge was cracked and there were many structural concerns making it unsafe, which in turn forced the closure, Whynot said. “We were hoping it would have been re-opened quicker… However, we really want to take the time to make sure they get it in right.”

There are two or three other bridges in other counties ahead in priority of this bridge, it probably won’t be replaced until next April or May, but we’ve started designing the new bridge, Whynot said. “However, we will get it done as soon as time and budget permit.”