The century-old covered bridge has been closed, and residents are blaming negligence

People living in the communities surrounding the Tantramar Swamp are increasingly worried about the future of a covered bridge in the area.

The Wheaton Bridge on High Marsh Road was built in 1916 and was still regularly used by residents.

But earlier this month, barricades were erected and detours were put in place.

The Department for Transport and Infrastructure says structural problems were found during a recent inspection.

“DTI bridge staff are still conducting further assessment of the bridge and there is currently no timeline for reopening it,” a department spokesperson wrote in an email to CBC News.

Jolicure resident Thaddeus Holowina said the province has not paid much attention to the bridge in recent years.

“It’s been decades since anything happened here,” Holowina said.

“Aren’t these heritage buildings around the province? Isn’t this a major tourist attraction, that people come and go through all the covered bridges in New Brunswick?”

Holowina said the bridge is often the most “direct” route for people in the area.

He’s also concerned about what the closure will mean for area farmers who rely on the bridge to transport hay and other crops.

Only 58 covered bridges remain

In the 1950s, New Brunswick had 340 covered bridges.

Now, only 58 of the iconic structures remain.

The state of New Brunswick’s famous covered bridges is “grim,” according to a conservation group.

Ray Boucher, president of the Covered Bridge Preservation Association, said that if properly preserved, the structures can last over concrete and steel bridges, but there hasn’t always been the political will to do so.

“The history of covered bridges in New Brunswick is poor in that they have been neglected,” Boucher said.

“They’d rather see the bridge fall apart and go away so they can put in their new steel and concrete (bridges).

Boucher said covered bridges are most at risk of damage at their abutments, where the bridge is connected to the ground.

Some covered bridges in Europe date back more than 400 years, he said – proof that they can last if properly maintained.