Open Or Close that is the Question
The Princess Margaret Bridge should be closed immediately until $12-million worth of repairs to its steel and concrete are complete, says Opposition Public Safety critic Carl Urquhart.

He made the call Monday after a 10-kilogram chunk of concrete fell off the bridge Sunday around 11 p.m. It tore through protective netting and narrowly missed a car travelling on Lincoln Road.

"People could have got killed there last night," said the Tory MLA for York, who's also a former police officer. "I think it has got to a point where, yes, the thing has to be shut down until the public has been convinced without a doubt that it's safe.

"If something happens (and someone is killed or injured) where are we?" asked Urquhart.

He said he isn't playing politics or fear-mongering by calling for the closure of the bridge.

"Before you come out and make a comment, you have got to think it out and it has got to be completely in the best interest of the public," said Urquhart. "The only reason not to close that bridge is inconvenience to the public.

"You are balancing out public safety with the inconvenience to the public. Shut it down."

Const. Ralph Currie, spokesman for the Fredericton Police Force, said police received a call about the falling concrete soon after 11 p.m. Sunday.

"A lady had reported a relatively large piece of concrete had fallen from the bridge and ... it just missed her daughter's car," he said Monday. "We responded. There was debris on the road.

"The officer reported there were several pieces of concrete varying in size."

Some of the pieces were five inches in thickness and various lengths, said Currie.

He said the Department of Transportation was called and the road was closed until the debris was cleaned up. He said he didn't have any information on how long the road was closed.

Norman Clouston, Fredericton district engineer for the Department of Transportation, said Monday the concrete came from the downriver side of the bridge's sidewalk and broke through protective netting that wraps that portion of the bridge.

"We are not quite sure what caused the breakage (of the protective netting)," he said. "We have added some additional straps to ensure it is tied in place.

"The public should be assured that it is safe and we will be monitoring it to ensure it doesn't happen again."

Clouston said DOT repair crews spent about 2.5 hours at the bridge Sunday night doing repairs and assessing the situation.

Last fall, the Liberal government reduced the weight limit allowed on the bridge and announced $12 million has been allocated for repairs this year.

Earlier this year, The Daily Gleaner used right-to-information legislation to get copies of engineering reports that show there are serious problems with the bridge's structural steel and concrete.

The report said the steel holding up the sidewalks is so corroded that it could collapse if a vehicle mounts the curb.

It also said the concrete may suffer from alkali silica reaction, the same flaw that has troubled the Mactaquac dam, and can cause concrete to crumble.

Urquhart said the Liberal government has done a poor job of keeping the public informed about the true state of the bridge.

"There are reports out there that we know have been done by reputable firms that have been buried so far that the only way you get them is through right-to-information."

Urquhart said he won't drive on the bridge or even under it. He also said he has heard that DOT employees won't use the bridge until it's repaired.

"I have even talked to ambulance people who have a concern about it.''

Urquhart said he's worried about the sidewalks.

"I wouldn't even be allowing people to walk on that bridge because something is going to go," he said.

Transportation Minister Denis Landry couldn't be reached for comment late Monday.

But earlier in the day, Premier Shawn Graham insisted the Princess Margaret Bridge is safe.

"If the Princess Margaret Bridge was unsafe, it would be closed," Graham said. "Fortunately, no one was injured (by the falling concrete).

"I understand the engineers are looking at why the netting failed and are putting up new netting."

Graham said the province has fast-tracked work to help restore the structure.

"We moved quickly to put a rehabilitation plan in place for the bridge.''

Mayor Brad Woodside said he trusts the Department of Transportation about the state of the bridge and the repair work to be done.

"I am aware of the incident," he said about the fallen concrete. "I am sure they were as surprised as anybody else and I am sure they are taking the necessary action to ensure the safety of the motoring public.''