|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
New Port Elgin Bridge installed over the Gaspereau River
FREDERICTON (NB)-Monday, March-08-10-A new bridge over the Gaspereau River in Port Elgin was installed on Wednesday, March 3rd . The New Brunswick Trails Council Inc. crew has been working on the 190 feet (59 meters) galvanized bridge structure for the past two months. It took two days for the crew to set up the bridge over the river. Interested observers from all around the surrounding area were on hand to witness the setting up of the bridge.
The installation of the bridge is considered a crucial step to the completion of the eastern part of the TransCanada Trail. New Brunswick Trails Council Inc. plans to have the Port Elgin Bridge fully completed by the end of March. Next summer, the organisation hopes to resurface 14.2km of trail in the area in order to complete the Trans Canada Trail link from Sackville to Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia.
Poul Jorgensen, Executive Director of New Brunswick Trails Council Inc., is very pleased for the advancement of this project and would like to thank the construction crew for their good work.
Shogomoc river bridge in construction
New Brunswick Trails Council Inc. started construction of the Shogomoc Bridge on December 2009. This bridge is located at the mouth of the Shogomoc River, which flows into the Saint John River near Nackawic. It is a key link for the Trans Canada Trail and the Saint John River Trail. The bridge is to be completed in March 2010.
New First trip across the Ice road at Shogomoc
New Clearing the ice on the backstay foundation. One meter of water drains into the excavation each night and the water has to be pumped and the ice removed daily
New Placing of the anchor that will hold the bridge towers in place
Preparing the east side
Breaking ground on the west side
Building road to west side Natural Ambiance of the Dobson Trail and the Fundy Footpath threatened by ATV’s
Fredericton-November 4th 2009, Walking and biking trails allow New Brunswickers to experience nature. There is a tacit pact between outdoor enthusiasts and nature to respect the fragile ecological balance of trails and their surroundings. When ATVers starts to use these trails, the pact is broken.
“It is disheartening for our volunteers that worked during decades to maintain the trail,” said Alonzo Leger, maintenance coordinator for the Fundy Footpath.
The 50th anniversary of the Dobson Trail was celebrated at the beginning of October and the Fundy Footpath will be soon celebrating its 20th anniversary.
”If we add the hours of volunteer work and the construction and maintenance costs paid by our organisation during the past 50 years, the investment in both trails are estimated at a million dollars ,“ added Leger.
The volunteers of both the Dobson Trail and the Fundy Footbath feel that ATVers do not respect their work. They think that ATVers are opportunistic and use the non-motorized trails rather than build or maintain their own trails.
The ATV community is viewed by walkers, hikers and cyclists as being out of control. Of the estimated 60,000 ATV’s in New Brunswick 40,000 of those are registered. There is no education program available encouraging respect of the non-motorized trails and nature. Their lack of courtesy on trails leads to conclusion that a shared use system is not possible, nor safe.
“When I see those damaged trails it deeply upsets me, it is theft of our good works and investments ! It is time that local, municipal and provincial governments support our trails; promote an active lifestyle and an active respect for nature,” concluded Leger.
If you want to support non-motorized trail, learn more about trails and share your great experiences on trails, check our page on Facebook, you can become a fan of New Brunswick Trails- Sentiers Nouveau Brunswick on Facebook.
The New Brunswick Trails Council Inc. 1350 Regent Street Fredericton, N.B. E3C 2G6 1-800-526-7070 |
ATVers are using the Dobson Trail and Fundy Footpath as detours because their own trails are not maintained. In a couple of months a hiking trail can be destroyed by ATV’s, damaging natural wonders and destroying the work of trail volunteers.
 |
 |