Discovery of wood rot forces indefinite closure of Hammond River covered bridge

Community members learned from Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Bill Fraseron Tuesday that the Hammond River No. 2 covered bridge in Quispamsis was in worseshape than first thought.

"We are committed to keeping the community informed of our work on this project," saidFraser.

"The repair work has uncovered unrelated structural deficiencies that raise serious questions about the future of this bridge."

Residents at the meeting heard that when steel was removed from the bottom of the bridge structure,significant wood rot was found and it was determinedthestructural integrity of the bridge was not safe.

• Hammond River covered bridge repairs will begin in 'immediate future'

As a result, the bridge isclosed to all traffic indefinitely and repair work has stopped.

"Repairing a 100-year-old bridge is similar to renovating a 100-year-old house," saidFraser.

"You have to begin the work before you can see all the issues you're facing."

The province is now determining a location to install the modular bridge and looking at two options.

They include setting it up next to theexisting covered bridge which involves buying property, doing design work and road realignment, and gettingenvironmental approvals.

The other option is to place it on the 'existing seats' of the covered bridge. This would meandismantling and removing thecovered bridge.

Frasersaid the first option would takelonger than the second. While there is is noset time frame for option one, thesecond option is early 2018.

"We felt it was important to let the community know where things stand and to hear their input," saidFraser. "The department will be making a decision on which option to proceed with in the days ahead."

• Residents upset as covered bridge repairs delayed by lack of safety clearance

The 105-year-old bridge, located on Route 860 at the end of French Village Road, was damaged on Oct.5 whena contractor hired by the Transportation Department to conduct repairs drove a13-tonneexcavator loaded with lumber across it.

The excavator crashed through and remained suspended between the bridge and embankment below for several days before it could be safely removed.

After consulting the community, the province agreed to repair the bridge rather than replace it. Work began in May.