Officials warn about Fredericton bridge closure

The city of Fredericton is once again reminding motorists to prepare for this summer's closure of the Princess Margaret Bridge.

Last year, things went smoothly, however officials say it's going to be a lot different this time around.

"I want the people of Fredericton to be ready. I don't want them to be complacent and at the last minute, all of a sudden everyone goes into a big panic."

Transportation Committee Chair Bruce Grandy said to forget about last year.

During the five-week closure in July and August there were few problems, but this year, repair work on the bridge runs from May 8th to September 5th17 weeks.

City Traffic Engineer Darren Charters is expecting traffic problems, especially for the first two months of the closure.

"May and June [are] going tobe tough. School's in session, people aren't flexible, they have to get their children to daycare, they have to get them to school at certain times. It's not July and August. It's going tobe tough."

Both Charters and Grandy are urging Fredericton residents to consider alternatives to driving into the city this summer, such as Park-and-Go and Park-and-Ride sites, using trails and bicycles and commuting outside of the traditional rush hours.