Raising the road: Fredericton continues flood mitigation efforts with construction work
The City of Fredericton is planning to raise more of its roads this construction season, hoping it will keep them open longer should another significant flood hit the area.
The city has experienced several difficult years of flooding, the latest in 2019. For the past of couple years, it’s picked sections of roads – the ones that are usually the first to be covered by water – and raised them by variable amounts.
This year, a second section of Riverside Drive will be raised, from Sumac Street to Corbett Avenue, while the area’s water and storm sewer system is updated. Doing both jobs at once ensures the road won’t need construction work again for some time.
“We're trying to find a balance where we're not raising the road to create a berm or a dam situation so we won't prevent flooding from happening,” said Melissa Steeves, assistant manager for the city’s engineering, design and construction department. “But what we're trying to do is leave the road open to create a safer route for the people that live there and for emergency vehicles.”
A flooded residence on Riverside Drive in Fredericton. (Courtesy: Wyatt Dutcher)Wyatt Dutcher lives along the portion of Riverside Drive to be raised this summer. He’s hopeful it will make a difference.
The Dutchers are already prepared for the next flood. They’ve lived through several and have raised their home.
“You watch all your numbers, you watch what it's doing up river, the weather in Edmundston and in Maine, you watch how much snow is up there and how much is coming down, how much is coming through the dam,” he said. “And then you start planning from there.”
A flooded residence on Riverside Drive in Fredericton. (Courtesy: Wyatt Dutcher)Steeves recognizes these construction closures are a headache for commuters, but flood mitigation is a “major priority” for the city. Portions of roads in Lincoln have also been raised.
“The longer the road stays open, the safer it is for people in the area,” she said.
Construction work won’t begin until late June or early July, as the city is waiting for the province to complete its work on the Princess Margaret Bridge – which is slated to close for five weeks in May and June.
Riverside Drive directly connects to that bridge.
For more New Brunswick news visit our dedicated provincial page.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Speaker kicks Poilievre out of Commons over unparliamentary comments
Speaker Greg Fergus kicked Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre out of the House of Commons during question period today.
Baby, grandparents among 4 people killed in wrong-way police chase on Ontario's Hwy. 401
A police chase which started with a liquor store robbery in Bowmanville Monday night ended in tragedy some 20 minutes later when a suspect fleeing police entered Highway 401 in the wrong direction and caused a pileup which killed an infant and the child's grandparents, as well as the suspect, investigators say.
Man dies after suffering cardiac arrest while waiting in ER, widow wants investigation
When an ambulance took David Lippert to the hospital in March of 2023, the 68-year-old Kitchener, Ont., executive was hoping to find out why he was feeling weak and unable to walk. Some 24 hours later, he was found unresponsive in the ER.
Sword-wielding man attacks passersby in London, killing a 14-year-old boy and injuring 4 others
A man wielding a sword attacked members of the public and police officers in a northeast London suburb Tuesday, killing a 14-year-old boy and injuring four other people, British authorities said.
Conservatives push motion calling for Carney to testify, say it's about 'accountability'
The federal Conservatives made good on their promise to push for former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney to testify before MPs, resulting in a heated political debate in Ottawa on Tuesday.
Freeland previews omnibus budget bill, proposed capital gains tax change left out
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland will be tabling yet another omnibus bill to pass a sweeping range of measures promised in her April 16 federal budget, though left out of the legislation will be the government's proposed capital gains tax change.
London Drugs stores remain closed, 'cybersecurity incident' may have breached personal data
London Drugs says it is working with third-party security experts as the company tries to reopen dozens of stores across Western Canada that were shuttered by a cybersecurity incident Sunday.
McGill requests 'police assistance' over pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University says it has 'requested police assistance' about the pro-Palestinian encampment on its lower field.
Air Canada walks back new seat selection policy change after backlash
Air Canada has paused a new seat selection fee for travellers booked on the lowest fares just days after implementing it.