Bridge closed for repairs
Published Thursday January 22nd, 2009
Damaged | Struck by large vehicle
The Department of Transportation was forced to close a covered bridge in the Rusagonis area after an oversized vehicle damaged it Wednesday.
Andrew Holland, the department's director of communications, said the Patrick Owen Bridge on Wilsey Road will be repaired, but it's going to take at least a week.
Motorists travelling in the area are advised to use Bryson and Rusagonis roads as alternate routes.
"The RCMP notified us that an oversized vehicle struck the covered bridge and damaged the overhead beams and support structures," Holland said.
"We have to close it for repairs because it could be dangerous to drive over it since those beams are necessary to keep the bridge from swaying when it's windy or when a heavy vehicle crosses it."
The Patrick Owen Bridge links Wilsey Road with the Rusagonis community.
It was built in 1909.
"The bridge is celebrating its 100th birthday, so it's a shame this has happened," Holland said. "Covered bridges are important to rural communities and are an important part of New Brunswick's history."
This isn't the first time the Patrick Owen Bridge has been damaged.
A vehicle struck the bridge last year and it needed similar repairs.
Holland said the motorist who damaged the bridge this year didn't stay at the scene.
"As far as I know, the driver is unknown," Holland said. "We don't even know what kind of vehicle it was that caused the damage, but it had to have been an oversized vehicle to damage the overhead beams like that."
Bev Adams, a resident of the Rusagonis area, said she hopes motorists will start paying closer attention to the height-restriction warnings placed on the bridge.
Celebrations for the bridge's anniversary could be ruined if it continues to be damaged, she said.
"The bridge is central to a community beautification project and reunion festival that we're planning for August," Adams said. "The bridge was the centre of the community. It isn't anymore, but it's no less important to the community now. It's a symbol of our history."
Repair work on the bridge is expected to begin immediately.
But Holland said there could be delays if the department has to order supplies.
"We have to make sure we have the right materials to repair it because of the importance of those structure beams," Holland said. "The bad weather could bring another delay, but we're hoping for the best. We want to have this cherished bridge back up and running as soon as possible."
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They also need to post a NO TRUCKS sign at the corner of the Waasis Rd and the Wilsey Road, as well as at the other end of the bridge. This is getting ridiculous and is very selfish of the person who damaged it. Many people will be inconvenienced as a result of the person's selfish behaviour!