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
LIVE UPDATES Critical infrastructure 'successfully protected': Jasper park officials
Jasper National Park officials in an update said all critical infrastructure in the townsite has been 'successfully protected, including the hospital, emergency services building, both elementary and junior/senior schools, activity centre and wastewater treatment plant.'
BREAKING Canadian Olympic Committee removes women's soccer team's head coach over drone scandal
The Canadian Olympic Committee has removed women's national soccer team head coach Bev Priestman over a drone scandal, according to a press release from the organization.
'I was just shocked': Jasper lodge owner on seeing property destroyed by wildfire
On Wednesday night, the owner of Maligne Lodge in Jasper, Alta., was shocked to receive a photo of her business engulfed in flames.
Prince William's 2023 salary revealed in new report
Newly released financial reports show that William, the Prince of Wales, drew a salary of $42.1 million last fiscal year, his first since inheriting the vast and lucrative Duchy of Cornwall.
Yukon woman narrowly escapes bear attack, credits hair clip
A woman in Yukon believes her hair clip helped save her during a bear attack.
P.E.I. and New Brunswick among most overworked provinces in Canada, study finds
A study says Prince Edward Island is the second most overworked province in Canada based on average weekly hours worked, while New Brunswick falls in third.
Mary-Ellen Turpel-Lafond likely has Indigenous DNA: report
The Law Society of British Columbia says a DNA test shows a former judge and Order of Canada recipient accused of falsely claiming to be Cree "most likely" has Indigenous heritage.
Alberta premier says a third, perhaps half, of all Jasper buildings destroyed by fire
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says early reports indicate a third and perhaps up to half of all buildings in the historic Rocky Mountain resort town of Jasper have burned in a wildfire.
OPINION Prince Harry: Press intrusion and the family rift explored in new doc
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has once again found himself at the centre of media attention following his recent interview as part of 'Tabloids on Trial,' an ITV documentary on phone hacking and tabloid intrusion.