Months-long closure of Portapique bridge frustrating locals and tourism operators

The closure of the Lower Portapique bridge in Nova Scotia’s Colchester County has been causing concern among residents and tourism operators for several months now. The bridge was closed in April due to damage to the vertical poles that support the structure, known as piles. As a result, a detour has been put in place, requiring drivers to take a 10-minute drive over a dirt road instead of the usual scenic route along Highway 2.

Portapique resident Ashley Fletcher expressed her frustration over the lack of communication regarding the bridge closure, stating that updates have been minimal to non-existent. She emphasized the need for transparency in the process, including a timeline for the bridge’s reopening and educational information about the nature of the damage.

Laura Schwarz, manager of the Bass River Heritage Museum, highlighted the impact of the bridge closure on tourism and local businesses. The museum had anticipated a successful tourism season but has seen a 43% decline in visitors compared to the previous year. Area businesses are also suffering due to the detour and decreased traffic in the area.

Gary Andrea, a spokesperson for the Department of Public Works, stated that design work to repair the damaged piles on the bridge has been completed. However, a tender for the work has not yet been issued. He assured that the repair work will take place during the summer construction season once a contractor is retained.

Colchester North MLA Tom Taggart had hoped for the bridge to reopen by Canada Day to accommodate increased tourist traffic. He emphasized the challenges in the tender process and suggested alternative procurement methods to expedite the repair work.

Despite efforts to mitigate the impact of the detour, concerns remain among residents about vehicle damage and emergency response times. Public Works has made efforts to improve the detour route, but issues persist.

Schwarz remains hopeful that the public will support local businesses and attractions in the area, despite the detour. However, she acknowledges that some visitors are hesitant to visit the museum due to the rough detour road. Overall, the community is eagerly awaiting the reopening of the Lower Portapique bridge to resume normal travel and business operations in the area.