Nearly a decade following a fire that devastated a crucial segment of the Acadian Peninsula’s recreational trail system, plans are underway to reconstruct the Inkerman bridge with a total of $12 million in financial support from the federal government and the Acadian Peninsula Regional Service Commission. The federal government has allocated $11 million towards the project, while the regional service commission is contributing an additional $1 million, with the provincial funding still pending.
The former 500-meter trail bridge over Inkerman Lake, which linked Tracadie and Shippigan, served as a pathway for pedestrians, cyclists, snowmobilers, and ATV enthusiasts. Its destruction in 2017 not only physically divided the region but also disrupted the sense of community. The loss of the bridge severed the Véloroute, a 600-km network of trails connecting Neguac to Lamèque and Rivière-du-Nord, with about 70 km being paved in 2018 to interconnect various municipalities and businesses.
Residents have been forced to reroute onto Highway 113, the main road in Inkerman, since the fire, raising concerns about road safety. Approximately 300 residents, including numerous cyclists, gathered in Inkerman to witness the announcement of the long-awaited funding by Serge Cormier, the Member of Parliament for the region. Cormier expressed relief at the funding approval after years of endeavoring on the project and commended the dedicated groups that persisted in advocating for the bridge’s reconstruction.
A local committee, known as the bridge committee, has raised around $5 million through Chase the Ace lotteries since the fire. Some of these funds were utilized to establish new trails, but a substantial amount remains for the bridge’s reconstruction. While the federal government only received a funding request last year, despite the bridge’s destruction almost a decade ago, progress is now imminent.
Although the Inkerman bridge is under provincial ownership, the province has yet to confirm its commitment to funding the rebuild. Discussions and planning are underway to determine the provincial contribution, with Cormier expressing confidence in securing the remaining $6 million needed for the project. The reconstruction of the 500-meter bridge will involve using non-wood materials to prevent a recurrence of the 2017 fire incident.
The trail, frequented by approximately 174,000 individuals last year, plays a pivotal role in bolstering the cycling tourism economy in northern New Brunswick. Cormier emphasized the importance of supporting local companies and promoting infrastructure development to enhance the region’s appeal to tourists. While a specific construction commencement date was not disclosed, the objective is to provide ample opportunity for local firms to bid on the project and participate in the reconstruction. The trail will accommodate ATVs and snowmobiles during most of the winter, while being designated for pedestrians and cyclists throughout the remainder of the year.