Harbour Bridge construction starts back up next week
The return of construction on Saint John's Harbour Bridge will see traffic return to one lane each way from next week through to November.
The work is part of the third phase of a multi-year rehabilitation project that started in 2021 and is scheduled to continue through 2026. Scheduled from April 2 to Nov. 30, the westbound lanes and on-ramp from Chesley Drive will be closed to traffic, with one lane each way planned over the eastbound lanes, says a bulletin posted on the department of transportation and infrastructure's website.
"Delays are expected for traffic in both directions approaching the bridge during this period," the bulletin reads. "Motorists are encouraged to reduce speed and watch for workers present in the construction zone."
Phase three of the project includes the replacement of expansion joints as well as the removal and replacement of asphalt and waterproofing, and is set to continue through next year, according to the project phase. The last phase after this will involve rehabilitation of bridge ramps, replacement of bearings and pier repairs, with all the ramps closed but all lanes of traffic open, according to the province.
"Last year’s work went well, no major issues, and the project completion date was met for 2023 work," provincial government spokesperson Jason Hoyt said in an email.
The annual work means drivers across the area will be adjusting their routines, with Stephen Jones, owner of Jones Delivery, saying he adds about 20 minutes to his commute from the west side before starting work.
"I get it going both ways, in the morning I get the rush hour going across the bridge, then after work I get the rush hour traffic coming back in the evening," Jones said.
"We like to start at the certain time of the day, like 8 o'clock. You've got to leave yourself at least 20 minutes extra there for sitting in the lineups."
He said that his business, which handles deliveries from St. Stephen to Sussex, mostly involves out-of-town trips and isn't affected.
"People in this city don't know how to use those zipper merges, and that is the most frustrating thing," Jones said. "If people would use both lanes like they're supposed to, it might work a little bit better."
A video on the province's website shows an explainer on zipper merges, which involves driving toward the merge point and then changing lanes in alternate fashion rather than trying to move over early.
Jones said he's looking forward to all four lanes being open.
"I'm looking forward to the job being done," he said. "It's just the inconvenience of having one lane each way, it's so much better to have four lanes of traffic."
DTI has $93 million budgeted for its 2024/25 bridge program, including the Harbour Bridge, the Anderson and Centennial Bridges in Miramichi and the Madawaska-Edmundston International Bridge, according to a November press release.
The Harbour Bridge project was initially priced at $26.4 million, with cost estimates rising to $31.3 million last year, Brunswick News reported. In February of last year the provincial and federal goverments added $15 million in extra funding,
- With files from Brunswick News Archive
Andrew Bates, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Telegraph-Journal