Nearly a decade following a fire that devastated a crucial link in the recreational trail network of the Acadian Peninsula, plans are underway to reconstruct the Inkerman bridge. The project will be financed with $12 million from the federal government and the Acadian Peninsula Regional Service Commission. The federal government’s contribution stands at $11 million, while the regional service commission is investing an additional $1 million. As of now, the province has not committed any funding towards the project.
The Inkerman bridge, a nearly 500-meter trail over Inkerman Lake connecting Tracadie and Shippigan, served as a route for walkers, cyclists, snowmobilers, and all-terrain vehicle riders. Its destruction in 2017 not only physically divided the region but also disrupted the sense of community. Danielle Savoie, chair of the board for the Véloroute Péninsule Acadienne, expressed how the bridge’s loss had a significant impact on the Véloroute as it was split in half.
The Véloroute encompasses over 600 kilometers of trails spanning from Neguac to Lamèque and Rivière-du-Nord, with approximately 70 kilometers paved in 2018 to connect various municipalities and businesses. In the absence of the bridge, residents have been forced to detour onto Highway 113, the main road in Inkerman, raising concerns about road safety.
The long-awaited funding announcement was made by Serge Cormier, the Member of Parliament for the area, in front of around 300 residents, many of whom are cyclists. Cormier expressed relief at the funding finally materializing after years of effort. Notably, a local group, known as the bridge committee, raised around $5 million through Chase the Ace lotteries since the fire in 2017, part of which was used to develop new trails.
While the federal government and the regional service commission have pledged $12 million for the rebuild, the province, which owns the Inkerman bridge, is yet to confirm its financial support. The estimated cost of the project is $18 million, with Cormier expressing confidence that the province will contribute the remaining $6 million. The rebuild will involve a new 500-meter bridge made from a non-wood material to prevent a recurrence of the fire incident.
Cormier emphasized the importance of providing the necessary infrastructure for Northern New Brunswick and highlighted the positive impact the trail maintenance could have on the local cycling tourism economy. The trail is expected to remain open to ATVs and snowmobiles during most of the winter and exclusively for walkers and cyclists during the rest of the year. Construction timelines have not been specified yet, with the focus on allowing local companies ample time to bid for the project and participate in the rebuild.