Temporary Salmon River Bridge Opens Today

Meat Cove residents will once again be able to travel in and out of their community, when a temporary bridge over Salmon River opens later today, Aug 30.

After working around the clock for the past week, crews are finishing the temporary bridge today, and restoring access to the area.

Premier Darrell Dexter was in Meat Cove to speak with residents, tour the area and offer thanks to everyone for their efforts to ensure residents and visitors were taken care of after the storm Aug. 21.

"Residents of Meat Cove have shown the people of Nova Scotia and beyond, the meaning of community by mobilizing to take care of each other and their visitors," said Premier Dexter. "I offer my personal thanks to the community and assurances that we will continue to work with them to ensure Meat Cove fully recovers from the damage caused by the storm.

"We know that significant work is needed to fully restore the Meat Cove area, work that can help offset some of the impact the storm has had on the local tourism industry."

Several washed out roads and culverts have also been repaired, and a second temporary bridge has been installed near the Meat Cove community centre. Permanent road and bridge repairs will be on going.

The province is also working with the Municipality of Victoria County on plans to remove the significant amount of debris left in the area by the storm.

"We committed to the residents of Meat Cove that if there was an opportunity to employ local residents to help clean up some of the debris, we would do that," said Premier Dexter. "I am pleased that we are making significant progress in identifying those opportunities so the clean up can begin as quickly as possible."