Princess Margaret Bridge closure dates set
Key span connecting Fredericton’s north, south sides to be shut down from May 10-June 13
The Princess Margaret Bridge will be closed completely for repairs for five weeks, beginning May 10, the provincial Department of Transportation and Infrastructure has announced.
As the Fredericton Independent reported previously, a major resurfacing project for the bridge was tendered recently, and specifications in that tender indicated the project would require the bridge to be closed for up to 35 days in May and June.
In a news release issued Monday morning, the department confirmed the specific closure dates: May 10 to June 13.
Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Richard Ames said in the release that the resurfacing project and closure were necessary to avoid more pronounced costs down the line.
“This work is necessary to prevent further deterioration of the bridge surface, which could lead to more significant repairs and costs,” he said.
The department said it’s co-ordinated with the City of Fredericton to mitigate disruptions and delays in traffic.
“I urge residents to exercise patience while this work gets underway,” Ames said in the release.
“Motorists and residents are strongly encouraged to consider alternatives such as walking, biking, carpooling or using public transit; working from home, if able; and completing errands outside of heavy-traffic times.”
The province’s tendering system shows that Horseshoe Hill Construction Inc.’s bid of $2,758,050 was the lowest one received for the project, and it was awarded that job April 10.
The department’s original estimated cost of the repaving and waterproofing job was $1,514,600, which means the project will cost at least $1.5 million more, almost double the estimate.
The tender for the project indicates the completion date has to be June 15.
The five-week closure comes after the Princess Margaret Bridge was reduced to one lane of traffic for a short-term repair job last fall - twice.
The mid-October chip-seal work, carried out by Hogan’s Paving Ltd., was intended to protect the bridge for the winter ahead of this spring’s larger project, and the reduced flow of traffic caused travel delays throughout the capital.
When the bridge reopened to two-way traffic in October, though, uneven asphalt at the expansion joints gave rise to excessively bumpy rides across the span and widespread criticisms of the quality of the work.
That prompted Transportation and Infrastructure to task crews to mitigate the rough work Oct. 26 and 27, with no public announcement, with renewed traffic delays.
Don MacPherson can be contacted at ftonindependent@gmail.com.