Post by Dawne McLean, President, Albert County Historical Society
Everyone in our community is extremely pleased to see the scaffolding around the Sawmill Creek covered bridge, which means that major repairs are going to be done to preserve our covered bridge for years to come! No one is more pleased than I am!
I am very thankful that in early September 2020, Donna Steeves called me to discuss her concern about the serious condition of the roof of the Sawmill Creek bridge. We met at the bridge on September 6 and I took many photos which definitely showed that the bridge needed serious repairs.
As President of the Albert County Historical Society, I sent a letter on September 8, including the photos, to the Executive Director of Engineering Services for the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure, Serge Gagnon. I received a prompt reply of thanks for my letter and photos, which he would share with the bridge maintenance engineer and go from there. Also, in my letter I had mentioned there were holes and deep cracks at both entrances of the bridge, that were dangerous for visitors or the trail ride horses. Within the next week, the holes were filled with asphalt!
The Association Heritage New Brunswick (AHNB), as well as the President of Covered Bridges Conservation Association of New Brunswick (CBCANB), were supportive and involved in the loop about the needed repairs to our bridge. In mid December, I also gave Jeff Schnare, ACTA President, the contact information for the Chief Engineer.
As soon as I saw the bridge scaffolding on March 7, 2021, I sent a letter to Mr. Serge Gagnon, expressing how pleased and grateful we are, that Sawmill Creek bridge is receiving major repairs. He replied with thanks, saying “the timing worked out to initiate the work and he would share my message with others”.
Good news does travel fast! Mr. Gagnon is also receiving messages of appreciation from Association Heritage New Brunswick, the Covered Bridges Conservation Association of NB, and even a message from the President of the National Society for the Preservation of Covered Bridges in New Hampshire.
It is so important that we work together to preserve our proud heritage of Albert County!