Driving around Port Hawkesbury will be different starting Thursday, October 9.
The bridges connecting Granville Street to Reeves Street in Port Hawkesbury will be closed for repairs or replacement until at least the winter.
The closure block access to Granville Street from the Prince Street intersection.
Town of Port Hawkesbury, Chief Administrative Officer, Terry Doyle is leading the project’s repairs and financing.
“Until we finish the investigative work and look at the scope of work, we won’t really know how long we’ll be down. But it will be for a significant amount of time that the bridges will be closed,” stated Doyle.
The replacement of the two-lane bridge would be about $5 million dollars, but Doyle says, because the bridges are owned by the town, the province won’t help foot the bill.
Repairs to the deteriorating pile cap over the timber beam are being considered.
“The design process will give us tender documents. We’ll evaluate tenders, and then award tenders,” says Doyle.
At a public meeting, council passed a motion to reach out to the MLA Kyle MacQuarrie to see if any financial support can be given.
Alternate routes will be available for motorists who are reminded to allow extra travel time.
Pedestrians will still be able to cross using a safe walking path on the single-lane bridge.
