Edmundston mayor seeks 'comprehensive' study of proposed new bridge to Maine

Edmundston Mayor Cyrille Simardsays he wants a comprehensive assessment done before the Madawaska-Edmundston international bridge is replaced.

The federal government put out a notice this week looking for public input on whether an environmental impact study should be done when the bridge is replaced.

"If it's going to be there for 100 years, we might as well do it correctly at this stage," said Simardsaid Friday.

He said the scope of an impact assessment should be broad, and include more than environment.

"Not only addressing natural resources issues and impacts, but also economic impacts, and a socio-cultural impact also," said Simard.

"This is the way they're doing it in the United States. I think in terms of a sustainable development perspective it's the right way to do it."

Simard said there have already been public hearings about an environmental assessment on the U.S. side of the bridge, and he expects the same on the Canadian side.

The project could cost anywhere between $45 million to $70 million, he said, but the project is still in the preliminary pre-design phase.

In need of repair

The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency will decide whether a new bridge would need to have an environmental assessment.

The replacement bridge is proposed by theMaine and New Brunswick departments of transportation.

And the bridge does need replacing, Simard said.

"The load has been brought up to five tons only so it creates a hardship for many businesses that have to go around," said Simard.

"We know for a fact that it has to be replaced. It's been there for 100 years."

Simard saidEdmundstondoes have some requests for what the bridge shouldlooklike.

He wants to see a recreational lane on the new bridge to help connect trails on both sides of the St. John River, and he wants the bridge's architecture and design to touch on the city's history and culture.

The federal governmentwill be taking public comments until Dec. 27. From there it will make a decision on whether the assessment is needed.