It’s a giant sigh of relief for residents and politicians in the Sackville, N.B. area. The province announced Tuesday it would build a detour bridge around the Peck’s Cove Bridge near Rockport. The current bridge had its weight restriction reduced from 43 to 20 tonnes in 2025 and it was further reduced to 16 tonnes in June. Tantramar Mayor Debbie Wiggins-Colwell said she got final confirmation from the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Thursday morning. “They are going to put in a detour bridge. It’s going to be put in before 2026 is over. This is in the process, it’s going to be done,” said Wiggins-Colwell. There are about a dozen homes on the other side of the bridge, which is the only way in and out of the tiny community. Mary and Larry Shaw own the home closest to the bridge and were thrilled to hear the news. “We’re delighted and we’re looking forward to it,” said Larry. “It is happening, or I assume it’s happening, and that’s great. It should never have gotten this far in my opinion.” Both feel safer knowing emergency vehicles can now reach them and their neighbours. “I am so relieved to know that at least by the end of this year we will have fire protection and ambulances, they had told us ambulances wouldn’t have been able to cross before, but now they can,” said Mary. It’s not known when work will start, but Wiggins-Colwell believes the new structure will be built right next to the old one. Jacob MacDonald, a spokesperson for DTI, said further deterioration of the Peck’s Cove Bridge was discovered during a recent inspection and the decision to reduce the weight capacity was made to ensure it can operate safely until it can be replaced. “The modular bridge will have a capacity of 43.5 tonnes and will be able to accommodate emergency vehicles,” said MacDonald. No repairs are currently planned for Peck’s Cove Bridge, MacDonald said. Tantramar-Memramcook MLA Megan Mitton said she’s relieved there will be a detour bridge this year. “This is a public safety issue because there is currently no alternative route to Peck’s Cove Bridge,” said Mitton in an email. “I’m glad DTI has finally understood the urgency that I’ve been communicating to them.” Until the bridge is up and running, Wiggins-Colwell said the Municipality of Tantramar has a well-prepared contingency plan in case there is an emergency. Three containers holding 3,000 litres of water has been dropped off at a home at the end of a side road in case firefighters need to access a source of water in the Rockport area. The water sits on a trailer and can be moved to a fire if need be. “I’m delighted that they have extra water out here and a vehicle to use it and that’s all a big plus,” said Larry. Wiggins-Colwell said the Department of Natural Resources has them on high priority if water needs to be airlifted in and the New Brunswick Emergency Measures Organization also has the area on a top priority list. As well, fire departments from Sackville, Dorchester and Point de Bute have run through scenarios with the municipality in case of a fire or another emergency, she said. “I feel very confident that we have a safe plan in place until we have a structure that’s able to access emergency vehicles across it,” said Wiggins-Colwell. Wiggins-Colwell said all of Sackville’s fire trucks are too heavy to go over the bridge, bit Dorchester’s department has a small pumper truck that may be able to go over. “It doesn’t have a large capacity, but in an emergency it would work,” said Wiggins-Colwell. The mayor said Rockport residents are feeling safer now that the plan has been made public. For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
