After nearly nine years since a fire destroyed the Inkerman bridge, a crucial connection in the Acadian Peninsula’s recreational trail network, plans are underway to rebuild it with a total funding of $12 million from the federal government and the Acadian Peninsula Regional Service Commission. The federal government is contributing $11 million, while the regional service commission is providing an additional $1 million, with the province’s funding commitment pending. The bridge, spanning nearly 500 meters over Inkerman Lake, linked Tracadie and Shippigan, serving pedestrians, cyclists, snowmobilers, and all-terrain vehicle users.
Following the bridge’s destruction in 2017, a sense of community was lost as the Véloroute, a 600-km trail network from Neguac to Lamèque and Rivière-du-Nord, was disrupted. Approximately 70 km of the trail was paved in 2018, connecting various municipalities and businesses. Residents have since been forced to detour onto Highway 113, the main road in Inkerman, raising concerns about road safety.
During an announcement in Inkerman attended by around 300 residents, including cyclists, Serge Cormier, the member of Parliament for the area, revealed the long-awaited funding. He expressed relief and pride in seeing the project progress after years of effort by community groups. A significant portion of the rebuild funding is expected to come from a local group, the bridge committee, which raised around $5 million through fundraisers since the fire.
While the federal government received a funding request only last year, despite the bridge’s destruction nearly a decade ago, progress is now underway. The province, as the bridge’s owner, has not confirmed its financial contribution towards the rebuild. Discussions and planning are ongoing, with hopes that the province will provide the remaining $6 million needed for the estimated $18 million project.
Cormier emphasized the importance of infrastructure for Northern New Brunswick and the positive impact on the region’s growing cyclist tourism economy. The new 500-meter bridge will be constructed with non-wood materials to prevent a recurrence of the 2017 fire. The trail is expected to remain accessible to ATVs and snowmobiles during most of the winter, with exclusive access for walkers and cyclists during the rest of the year. Construction timelines are yet to be specified, but local companies will be encouraged to bid on the project to be part of the rebuild initiative.
