Municipalities encourage public to plan now for April 5 provincial causeway closure
March 18, 2021
RIVERVIEW / MONCTON (N.B.) – The Town of Riverview and the City of Moncton are encouraging the public to plan now for the April 5 closure of the causeway connecting the two communities as the Province completes construction of a new bridge.
"Now is the time for residents to make plans to modify their commuting habits for the closure,” said Town of Riverview Mayor Ann Seamans. "We’re also hoping employers consider scheduling adjustments for staff impacted by the closure. This will be a challenging period but, with planning and patience, we’ll get through it.”
Through the Petitcodiac River Restoration project, the Province will replace the current causeway with a steel-girder bridge. The project is expected to address environmental issues that have affected the health of the waterway since the 1960s.
On Feb. 25, the provincial Department of Transportation and Infrastructure announced that the causeway – originally expected to close May 1 for the bridge work – will close April 5, with a projected reopening of October. The Gunningsville Bridge will become the main crossing point across the Petitcodiac River between Riverview and Moncton.
“Throughout the construction period, the City of Moncton and the Town of Riverview are ensuring residents are well-informed of the impacts of the closure.” says Mayor Dawn Arnold. “While it may be challenging, the benefits of the completed bridge will play an important role in the economic development and environmental protection of our area.”
The Town of Riverview and City of Moncton are working together on various initiatives to help residents and businesses cope during the bridge construction. The municipalities have launched an awareness campaign, which includes signage on either side of the causeway to alert residents to the upcoming closure. As well, they are working to establish web cameras at opposite ends of the Gunningsville Bridge so commuters can monitor traffic before leaving home.
The municipalities are encouraging residents and business owners to consider:
● modifying work hours for quieter travel times;
● walking, biking, carpooling or using transit to work;
● allowing extra time to complete errands;
● reducing or combining trips across the Gunningsville Bridge
Meanwhile, Codiac Transpo is adding more bus service in Riverview. As of April 5, Codiac Transpo will be offering three routes in Riverview on weekdays. This increased service will include new routes: Route 86-Park and Ride which will provide a connection from Riverview to Moncton via a Park and Ride lot located at the corner of Pine Glen Road and Whitepine Road in Riverview as well as Route 85-Connector, which will link East and West Riverview. Route 81-Riverview will continue to service its current area when the 86-Park & Ride is not in operation. Changes to bus stops and passenger transfer locations will be announced in the coming weeks.
The Town of Riverview is mailing flyers to residents and business owners to remind them of the bridge work. To mitigate the impact on businesses, the Town will continue to push its ongoing shop local program, Riverview Rewards. Businesses not registered with Riverview Rewards are urged to do so by clicking ‘Businesses’ at https://www.riverviewrewards.ca/
For details on the Park and Ride location as well as the additional bus service, please visit: www.townofriverview.ca/causeway-closure.