Nearly a decade after a fire destroyed a crucial component of the recreational trail network in the Acadian Peninsula, plans are underway to reconstruct the Inkerman bridge with a substantial investment of $12 million from the federal government and the Acadian Peninsula Regional Service Commission. The federal government is contributing $11 million, while an additional $1 million is being funded by the regional service commission. At this stage, the province has not committed any financial support.
The Inkerman bridge, a nearly 500-meter structure over Inkerman Lake that connected Tracadie and Shippigan, served as a vital link for pedestrians, cyclists, snowmobilers, and ATV riders. Following the fire incident in 2017 that resulted in its destruction, a sense of community was disrupted, particularly with the Véloroute network being severed in half.
The Véloroute encompasses over 600 kilometers of trails spanning coastal communities from Neguac to Lamèque and Rivière-du-Nord. Approximately 70 kilometers of the trail were paved in 2018, facilitating connections among various municipalities and businesses.
Residents in the Inkerman area have been compelled to take a detour along Highway 113 since the bridge was lost, raising concerns about road safety. A gathering of around 300 residents, including many cyclists, convened in Inkerman where the local Member of Parliament, Serge Cormier, revealed the long-awaited funding announcement.
A local group, known as the bridge committee, initiated fundraising efforts after the bridge incident and has collected about $5 million through Chase the Ace lotteries since 2017. Despite the prolonged period with no progress on the reconstruction, the committee still holds between $2 million and $3 million for the project.
While the federal government received a funding request only last year despite the bridge’s destruction almost a decade ago, the rebuild is anticipated to receive contributions from the provincial government. The exact timeline for construction commencement remains unspecified, with a focus on engaging local companies in the project bidding process.
The reconstruction plan aims to utilize a material other than wood for the new 500-meter bridge to prevent a recurrence of the 2017 fire incident. The trail’s accessibility will cater to a range of users, including walkers, cyclists, ATVs, and snowmobiles, fostering both recreational activities and the local tourism economy in Northern New Brunswick.