Margaree Harbour Bridge

Members of the public are invited to a second open house in Belle Cote, Inverness Co., next week to discuss plans for a new bridge connecting Belle Cote with Margaree Harbour.

The meeting will be held from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 5, at the Belle Cote Community Centre.

"We consider this bridge a priority project," said Ron Russell, Minister of Transportation and Public Works. "It's a major link on the Cabot Trail, and we'd like to meet with the community again to share information and hear what they have to say."

"I am pleased our government has made the Margaree Harbour Bridge a priority," said Rodney MacDonald, Minister of Tourism and Culture. "This bridge is a critical link on one of the world's most scenic drives. Replacement would provide a great boost to the community and to tourism."

Department of Transportation and Public Works staff will attend the open house to present information on the preliminary design for a new structure.

Public consultation is an important part of bridge and highway construction. Replacement of the Margaree Harbour bridge is a departmental priority, but the funding has yet to be approved.

The department hired CBCL Limited to undertake the preliminary design and submit regulatory applications that would be required to move the project forward. The consulting firm will also have staff at the open house to answer questions.

A new bridge at Margaree Harbour is estimated to cost up to $10 million. The existing wooden bridge is supported by timber piles. The province believes it will be more cost-effective to build a new structure than to continually make short-term repairs.