The Department of Transportation and Public Works today advised the public that the Midgell bridge is now open to traffic.
Transportation and Public Works Minister Gail Shea joined Morell-Fortune Bay MLA Olive Crane for a tour of the completed project and they were among the first motorists to travel across the new bridge structure, which was re-opened to the public last evening.
“Replacing the Midgell bridge has been challenging from a traffic and engineering standpoint but our staff and the contractors on this project have done an excellent job,” said Shea. “Part of the reason for that success has been the cooperation of the travelling public and I would like to take this opportunity to thank them for their support while the work was completed.”
Located just outside St. Peter’s on Route 2 (Veterans Memorial Highway), the Midgell bridge project involved the construction of the new bridge in a temporary location adjacent to where the existing bridge stood. As the old bridge was taken down traffic was flowed through the construction zone across the new bridge in its temporary location. Once the old bridge was removed the new bridge was moved into place where the old bridge stood previously. Roadway improvements were also made to improve the grade as vehicles approach the bridge.
Normally a project of this scope would require a major traffic disruption of several months to allow work to be completed. Through the use of innovative construction methods the traffic disruption for the replacement of the Midgell bridge was reduced to a period of approximately two weeks.
“The new bridge at Midgell will benefit the community for many years to come. This section of highway is quite a busy one, especially during the summer months, so the new bridge and other road improvements will help improve safety for local motorists and for visitors to our area,” said Morell-Fortune Bay MLA Olive Crane.
The Midgell Bridge replacement project was publicly tendered and awarded to HR Civil Contractors Ltd. from Fredericton, New Brunswick. The approximate value of the project was $3.6 Million.