The New Brunswick government has announced it will replace an iconic tourist destination in the province, rather than remove it.
Government has been receiving pressure from the community to replace the aging St. George Gorge, a steel bridge included in a province-wide program to upgrade bridges and roads in dire need of work.
Gillian Barfoot says the view from the bridge is everything a photographer could ask for.
"Beautiful red mill,” said Barfoot. “The waterfall, the lights coming lit, the colours are nice. It's a gorge – it's gorgeous."
The bridge is under severe weight restriction. Even the pedestrian walkway has been closed to foot traffic.
"Going forward it needs some major repair work,” said Liberal MLA Rick Doucet. “It is slated to be completely replaced as we go into 2017."
Doucet says eliminating the crossing altogether is not an option.
"There will continue to be a bridge here well into the future,” he said. “The replacement bridge will have a lot more room for photographers and arts classes and everyone else who comes here to see the view.”
The pipes belong to the town of St. George, and they are the only way of providing services to adjacent neighbourhoods.
"Our critical infrastructure for South Street, for both water and sewage, are under that bridge, and they were at risk," said St. George Mayor Sharon Tucker.
The town has been told the replacement will be better for pedestrians and tourists.
"The new bridge will have a pedway the full length of the gorge that will allow you to take views from whatever angle you so desire," said Tucker.
"It's a narrow bridge, they obviously don't want to hit the pedestrian,” said Barfoot. “In the summertime, I can imagine it's probably crawling with people taking photographs."
Planning for the new bridge is underway, and it is scheduled to be in service next year.
With files from CTV Atlantic’s Mike Cameron.
