Damaged covered bridge in Smithtown closed indefinitely

A 103-year-oldcovered bridge over the Hammond River in Smithtown has been closed indefinitely, the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure confirmed Tuesday morning.

The government did not say how the Hammond River No. 3 Bridge, about 35 kilometres northeast of Saint John, was damaged or where on the structure the damage was found.

"Yesterday, during an inspection of the Hammond River #3 Bridge, damage was discovered that necessitated the bridge's immediate closure,"said Jeff Hull, a spokesperson with the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure.

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Hull said the bridgewill remain closed to traffic until further notice.

According to the governmentwebsite, the bridge on Damascus Road was built in 1914.

Lawrence Totten, wholives in Otter Lake, was driving to Hampton when he came upon the barricades at the bridge and had to back up.

"It's going to cost a half an hour, maybe three quarters I have to be awful careful," he said. "I can't hit those potholes."

Roger Breau, fire chief with the Hampton Fire Department, said the department isresponsible for two dozen rural homes on Mount Prospect Road, Brawley Road, and a short stretch of Damascus Road on the other side of the bridge.

A detour would add15 to 20 minutes "at least," he said.

So Breau contacted theKennebecasis Valley Fire Department, which willlook after the areas on the other side.

The Hampton Fire Departmentwill monitor dispatches to ensure everything is clear with the 911 dispatchers, and theKennebecasis Valley Fire Department. Hampton will also send a tanker to assist in case of a fire emergency.

The closest covered bridge, Hammond RiverNo. 2 inFrench Village, has been out of commission since October 2016, when the Department of Transportation was conducting repairs andan excavator that was too heavy for the bridgecrashed through the floor to the embankment below.

"The safety of the travelling public is the priority of the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure," Hull said.