Upper Stone Ridge Bridge to be Replaced; Route 109 to be Improved

February 10, 2010

Left to right are York North MLA Kirk MacDonald, Tobique-Mactaquac MP Mike Allen, Wendy Brewer, Melissa McIntyre, N.B. Transportation Minister Denis Landry, Tara Best, and Sherry Brewer.


BURTTS CORNER – Federal and provincial governments are making joint investments in the replacement of the Upper Stone Ridge covered bridge and in the upgrading of Route 109. The announcement late last month was made in Burtts Corner by Tobique-Mactaquac MP Mike Allen and New Brunswick Transportation Minister Denis Landry.

Fire destroyed the Upper Stone Ridge covered bridge in October 2008. Construction of a new bridge will begin in June, with completion expected in September. The bridge is located on the Keswick River in York County.

"When the Upper Stone Ridge covered bridge was destroyed, the community lost its only access to Morehouse Corner across the Keswick River," said Allen. "The Government of Canada is proud to partner with the Province of New Brunswick to help rebuild this important bridge.

"Through our Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, the Government of Canada is not only creating jobs and stimulating the economy, we are also helping communities have access to important infrastructure, such as the bridge and highway we are announcing today."

The federal government is making a contribution of $180,000 under the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund to replace the bridge, while the province is investing a matching amount, arriving at a total of $360,000.

"This cherished landmark was the last covered bridge that spanned the Keswick River," Landry said of the Upper Stone Ridge covered bridge. "I am pleased that the federal government has joined us to replace this piece of rural infrastructure, which will benefit people and this region. These investments will deliver immediate benefits and will be the foundation of sustainable long-term economic growth and self-sufficiency."

The federal government is also making a contribution of $362,500 under the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund to improve Route 109, with the provincial government making a matching investment, for a total of $725,000. Work will include pavement repairs from the Trout Brook area to Tobique River #3.

The federal $4-billion Infrastructure Stimulus Fund is a component of Canada's Economic Action Plan. The fund invests in construction-ready infrastructure projects that can be completed by March 31, 2011.