Discovery Site bridge enters concept stage
Colchester County Mayor Christine Blair says it is a step to a greener future
TRURO, N.S. – The concept of a new pedestrian bridge over the Salmon River is one step closer to reality, following a recent $100,000 provincial funding announcement.
“This is a major piece to our Fundy Discovery Site,” said Paul Smith, manager of planning services and special projects for Colchester County. “I think it’s also a much-needed piece of community infrastructure that will enhance active transport and generally improve community health.”
Mayor Christine Blair agreed, saying it will also help the county cut greenhouse gas emissions by promoting alternatives to driving.
Blair said a new bridge was deemed an “urgent priority,” under the county’s active transportation agenda and through feedback from stakeholders.
A pedestrian bridge at the Fundy Discovery Site, on Tiday Bore Road, is intended to link a network of walking and biking trails on both sides of Salmon River.
“This bridge will help establish a strategic and major trailhead at the Fundy Discovery Site, where users will benefit from a wide variety of amenities and services,” said Blair. “It provides an opportunity for the bridge to become an iconic, multi-purpose and central piece of infrastructure that is visible from Nova Scotia’s busiest traffic corridor, Hwy 102.”
Smith said the bridge will form part of a full-scale revitalization of the Fundy Discovery Site. Recent additions include a new amphitheatre, nature-themed playground, new washrooms and landscaping around the interpretive centre.
The proposed bridge will form part of phase two, which may also include an upgraded visitor centre.
In 2017, it was reported a new bridge over the Salmon River could may cost up to $6 million. The entire Fundy Gateway Project price tag is an estimated $21 million.
Blair said a single-lane car bridge previously crossed the Salmon River where the Fundy Discovery Site is now located. Its foundations can still be seen.
“Interest in this bridge project transcends Colchester,” said Blair. “It has quickly become a priority project to a range of other stakeholders that include the Nova Scotia Blue Route and the Cobequid Trail, enabling an uninterrupted connection between Truro and Wallace.”
As well as supporting a new bridge design, the province granted another $70,000 to Colchester County for its community energy and emissions plan. This is another measure aimed at cutting greenhouse gas emissions, in keeping with the wider provincial target to be carbon-neutral by 2050.
Blair said 18 homes in Colchester County were equipped with solar panels under its plan last year. Panels have also been installed at the Ratheastlink Community Centre in Truro and the Don Henderson Memorial Sportsplex in Brookfield. Two wind turbines are p and running in Kemptown.
“This funding and the energy plan we develop will allow Colchester to do our part in the fight against climate change,” said Blair.
The Town of Amherst is also receiving $75,000 to develop its own greenhouse gas emission plan.