There may be good news coming for the group trying to save the Morrissy Bridge.
Miramichi Trails Coalition member Mike Mersereau said he spoke with someone at the provincial Transportation Department last week and was told an engineering study showed problems with only one pier.
"It is looking very positive in terms of preserving and salvaging the bridge for pedestrian use."
Mersereau has been part of a group trying to save the bridge since the Transportation Department closed it in September after a study showed the bridge had deteriorated to the point where it was no longer safe to drive on.
It was slated for demolition with a tender ready to go in December, but a push by the public to save it for pedestrian use halted the demolition until further studies are completed.
Several weeks ago divers cut into the ice to conduct an underwater survey of the piers to check their structural integrity.
Mersereau said he didn't have many details about the study's findings because the engineering firm that did the study hasn't released its report yet.
"We hope to have the report by the end of this week."
Transportation Department spokesman Andrew Holland said he couldn't confirm the report's findings because his department hadn't received any documentation from the engineering company yet.
"It's hard to comment on a report we don't have."
Once they receive the study results, department staff will look at the information and take it to the committee trying to preserve the bridge.
"The long and short of it is it's premature."
Mersereau said the bridge wouldn't be able to open as a pedestrian crossing until the pier is repaired.
"It's a requirement to enabling people to cross."
Once they have more information, the trails coalition will have to put together a request for proposals for the repair work, he said.
"It's kind of a quiet time waiting to see that happens with the study."
Mersereau said he was pleased to hear the engineers found only one pier needs to be repaired.
"I don't think it's anything insidious because it was never looked at."
Since they began the push to save the bridge, Mersereau's group has started to hear from people working on trails in other parts of the community who are interested in working together, he said.
"I think the city's lucky that they've got a group that's willing to work with them to make it happen."
Several cities around the province have extensive trail systems, including Fredericton where a citizens group worked with the city to convert an old train bridge into a pedestrian crossing.
Mersereau said his group sent a request to city council to recognize them as the Miramichi Trails Coalition.
"I think it's moving in the direction it needs to move."
The coalition realizes the bridge would have to be part of a larger trail plan and they are trying to get funding for the project, he said.
"The only way to tackle that is to have a trails plan in place."
Mersereau said the trails coalition has been working with several city councillors who have been supportive of their plans.
"The group is more than happy to work with the city to make it happen."
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