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Hartland’s covered bridge is open, but, if a stiff breeze blows down the river, motorists will once again be inconvenienced.

Enlarge Photo

Angela Ferguson photo

Bridge reopened: The Hartland Covered bridge is again open for traffic after a five-month closure for repairs to the historic structure. The Department of Transportation stated the bridge will be closed periodically while work continues, and if the wind is too high.

Department ofTransportation (DoT) communications representative Tracey Burkhardt said the Longest Covered Bridge in the World will remain open depending on weather conditions.

“We will need to close it during high winds ... so that drivers can be safe and the bridge will be safe,” she said. “But, other than that, it will be open to traffic.”

In November, the bridge was closed when engineers found three areas where beams were cracked. Burkhardt said those cracks have been fixed, but, this summer, the bridge will be closed periodically for further repairs.

“There’s going to be two supporting beams that are going to strengthen the bridge to help support its weight, and, once those are installed, the wind forces won’t be as big of an issue,” she explained. “We will be installing some channels to straighten the bridge on the bottom of the bridge, so those will be installed this summer.”

Hartland resident Kelvin Roberts said the five-month bridge closure was an inconvenience. He said the winter impact on local merchants probably wasn’t too bad, but store owners are going to feel financial loss when they close the bridge during tourist season.

Roberts was unaware of the possible closures due to heavy winds.

“That worries me because if the wind can blow it over then it shouldn’t be open at all,” he said. “But I’d like to see the repairs completed so it can be open regardless.”

Roberts’ father Fred said he heard winds must reach 25-kilometres per hour to close the structure.

“I’ve lived here all of my life – 59 years,” Fred said, “and I think it’s ridiculous.”

Resident Mike Walton said the last five months have inconvenienced everyone in town because they have to take the long way around, detouring over the Hugh John Flemming Bridge. Now that the covered bridge is open, he said with a smile, “I’m still going the other way because I forget about it.”

Walton agrees with Roberts’ reaction to the bridge closing due to heavy winds.

“That’s somebody who doesn’t know what they’re talking about making the rules,” he said.

In November,Transportation Minister Denis Landry said if a temporary fix couldn’t be completed then the bridge wouldn’t be open until the spring.

“This is an icon for the area,” he said.

“I understand that very well, but we want to be sure the correct work is going to be done to the bridge. Because it’s a 100-year-old bridge, and we want that bridge to last at least another 100 years.”