News Release

FREDERICTON (GNB) – Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Roger Melanson is calling upon national party leaders to commit to helping the provincial government build a bridge to complete the Petitcodiac River project.

“Over the years, the province has invested $55.7 million in this project,” Melanson said. “We want to see it completed in compliance with the recommendations of the Environmental Impact Assessment. I am asking for a federal commitment of $52.8 million, one half of the entire project cost, to construct a 240-metre bridge to replace the Petitcodiac River Causeway.”

A federal/provincial environmental impact assessment began in 2002 to study possible modifications to the causeway in order to solve fish passage and other ecosystem issues on the river. The assessment report was completed in 2006.

Melanson said much work has been done, including opening the causeway gates in 2010, to improve conditions to allow the Petitcodiac to flow freely as a tidal river and return to its original natural state. The river continues to adjust to the opening of the gates and is being monitored as required under the environmental impact assessment. The bridge would take three to four years to complete. It would provide the most cost-effective and socio-environmentally beneficial solution to return the river, as close as possible, to its former state.

“The bridge is recommended in the assessment but can only be built when a partnership with the federal government is secured,” said Melanson. “We believe our request for a cost-sharing partnership agreement is fully justifiable given the level of federal involvement in the original project.”

Melanson said the construction of the new bridge would also create jobs and help move the province’s economy forward.

The Petitcodiac River Causeway is a transportation link between the City of Moncton and the Town of Riverview.