Please be advised that the Centennial Bridge in Miramichi is scheduled for a full overnight closure on Thursday, September 21 from 11 p.m. to Friday, September 22 at 5 a.m. as part of the ongoing rehabilitation project.
A detour will be in place during this time.
The department understands the inconvenience to the public during this period.
Please continue to check @brunswick511 and the NB DTI website for further updates.
The Department of Transportation and Infrastructure, (DTI) wishes to advise the travelling public that the expected full closure for the Centennial Bridge, that was anticipated to begin in May of 2023, will be delayed until 2024.
While the Centennial Bridge full closure is now delayed into next year, some work will continue this season, which may result in occasional short term closures/restrictions.
The Centennial Bridge is a complex, multi-phase rehabilitation project and any decision to delay a full closure is a difficult one for project staff.
The project has run into unforeseen issues, including supply chain issues and material delays. Such delays are not uncommon on rehabilitation projects of this size and scope.
The department made the decision to delay the full closure until next year as scheduling into this fall would make it difficult to complete some of the work heading into colder months.
DTI continues to re-evaluate its execution plan for the future phases of the project in order to minimize impacts to the City of Miramichi and the travelling public.
The department is planning further discussions with the city to ensure clarity on the project and when DTI is able move forward with any future planned closure.
Please continue to check @brunswick511 and the NB DTI website for further updates.
The Centennial Bridge opened in 1967 and remains a vital transportation link carrying Route 11 traffic across the Miramichi River, accommodating approximately 8,000 vehicles per day.
With an overall height of 240 ft over a navigational channel, the 1.1 km Centennial Bridge is one of the largest structures in DTI’s inventory and allows for the passage of freighters, barges, and other commercial marine vessels.
A comprehensive assessment in 2009 concluded that the service life of the structure could be extended another 50-60 years with a full-scale rehabilitation project.
Work on the 14-year, $120 million rehabilitation project began in 2012, and encompasses repairs and upgrades to the steel superstructure, rehabilitation of foundation elements and replacement of the concrete deck. As part of the project, a new sidewalk will also be installed.
Future project phases will include work to widen the roadway across the bridge, additional pier improvements, deck replacement and steel rehabilitation.
Extended full closures are expected in 2024 and 2025. The Department of Transportation and Infrastructure is working closely with the City of Miramichi to mitigate the impact of any planned closures.
Scope of Work – Phases 1 thru 9
- Phase 1/2/3 are completed (Piers 1-7; Substructure & Superstructure)
- Phase 4 – Pier work (Land)
- Phase 5 – Pier work (Over Water)
- Phase 6 – Utility Ducts (Fiber)
- Phase 7 – 1st Phase Deck Replacement (Bearing Jacking)
- Phase 8 – 2nd Phase Deck Replacement (Currently in design)
- Phase 9 – 3rd Phase Deck Replacement (Currently in design)
- New Walkway
Work Onsite in Summer/Fall of 2022
- Phase 4 – Piers (16-20) – Concrete Replacement – Infill (Complete in Fall)
- Phase 5 – Piers (8-15) – Concrete Replacement – Infill
- Phase 6 – Utility Ducts (Fiber) – Start New Routing – Support System
- Phase 7 – 1st Phase of the Deck Replacement on South side (Bearing Jacking Only)
Work Onsite in 2023
- Phase 5 – Piers (8-15) – Concrete Replacement – Infill
- Phase 6 – Utility Ducts (Fiber) – Finish New Routing – Support System
- Phase 7 – 2nd Phase of the Deck Replacement on South side (Replace deck)
- Phase 8 – 1st Phase of the Deck Replacement on North side (Bearing Jacking Only)
Work Onsite in of 2024
- Phase 8 – 2nd Phase of the Deck Replacement on North side (Replace deck) – Start early Spring and Finish Late Fall of 2024
- Phase 9 – 1st Phase of the Deck Replacement on/over navigation span (prepare for Bearing Jacking Only)
- Phase (Walkway) – Start side approaches late Spring / Early Summer 2024
- Phase (Walkway Installation) – Start install of walkway spans in late Spring/Early Summer 2024
Work Onsite in 2025
- Phase 9 – 3rd Phase of the Deck Replacement (Navigation Span) – Start early Spring and Finish Late Fall of 2025
- Phase (Walkway Installation) – Start install of walkway spans (Navigation Span) in late Spring/Early Summer 2025
The timeline will be updated as the project phases progress through to the expected targeted completion date of late 2025.
During various project phases, the bridge will have overnight, single lane and full closures. A detour route will be in place during these times.
The department will continue to review the execution of the work to minimize disruptions with all closures or additional traffic changes and closures communicated to the public in advance.
