Highway Closure In New Brunswick

In 2019, many roads in New Brunswick were closed due to flooding. The Trans-Canada Highway between Oromocto and River Glade was closed for several days, causing a 90-kilometre detour through Saint John. More than 85 roads were closed or partially closed, including sections of Route 10 and Route 860. The closures were a result of high water levels in the St. John River and other waterways.

The Trans-Canada Highway closed due to flooding

The Trans-Canada Highway has been closed due to flooding in multiple locations.

In April 2019, the Trans-Canada Highway in New Brunswick was closed from Oromocto to River Glade, southwest of Moncton, due to flooding. The closure began at 7 p.m. on Wednesday and was expected to last several days, according to the province. The Department of Transportation and Infrastructure confirmed the closure, which started at Exit 306 in Oromocto and ended at Exit 423 in River Glade. This added to the long list of road closures in the area due to persistent flooding along the St. John River.

In November 2021, sections of the Trans-Canada Highway in British Columbia were closed in both directions due to major flood damage. The closures included the entire 80-kilometer stretch between Abbotsford and Hope, as well as parts of Highway 1 that were washed away by surging rivers. The flooding caused significant damage to infrastructure and severely impacted highways throughout southern British Columbia. The closures cut off access to the U.S. border crossing at Sumas and led to evacuation orders for the Sumas Prairie area of Abbotsford.

More than 85 roads closed or partially closed

In 2019, more than 85 roads in New Brunswick were closed or partially closed due to flooding. The Trans-Canada Highway between Oromocto and River Glade was also closed, with the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure confirming that the closure would likely last several days. The highway closure forced travellers to take a 90-kilometre detour through Saint John.

The flooding was caused by the rising water levels in the St. John River and other waterways, leading to numerous road closures across the province. In Fredericton, the city centre was particularly affected, with streets and sidewalks flooded. The city's transit and parking manager, Meredith Gilbert, encouraged residents to use public transit or alternative modes of transportation to reduce traffic congestion.

Park-and-ride services were set up at various locations, offering free parking and a $2.75 bus fare. To accommodate those with downtown parking hang tags, the city allowed them to use their tags for bus rides. The bus service was scheduled to run every half hour during peak times and hourly throughout the day.

The closures and detours caused by the flooding significantly impacted travel in the province. The situation was further exacerbated by Google Maps directing drivers to closed roads, such as Route 10 near Chipman, leading to confusion and frustration for those travelling through New Brunswick.

• Brunswick Street Garage
• Upper Queen Street lot
• St. Anne's Point Boulevard
• Newcastle Centre Road
• Pondstream Road off of Route 690
• Ferry Road in Jemseg
• Merritt Smith Road in French Lake
• Tripp Settlement Road from Route 105
• Kenneth Road between the West Glassville Road and the West Cross Road in Kenneth

Fredericton roads closed or partially closed

Fredericton, the capital of New Brunswick, has several road closures and detours in place due to construction projects and flooding. Here is an overview of the roads that are closed or partially closed:

Construction-Related Closures:

• Riverside Drive: Closed to through traffic from Greenwood Drive to Sumac Street, forcing drivers on the north side to detour via the Route 8 Marysville Bypass to access the Princess Margaret Bridge.
• Regent Street: A section between King and George Streets is closed, leading to increased traffic on smaller side streets like St. John Street for those travelling to and from the north side via the Westmorland Street Bridge.
• Princess Margaret Bridge: Construction projects in the area, including repaving a section of Route 8, have caused lengthy detours and delays.
• Marysville Bridge: Currently down to one lane due to restoration work.

Flooding-Related Closures:

• St. Anne's Point Boulevard
• District 5 - Fredericton area
• Robertson Point Road
• Newcastle Centre Road
• Pondstream Road off of Route 690
• Ferry Road in Jemseg
• Merritt Smith Road in French Lake
• Tripp Settlement Road from Route 105
• Kenneth Road between West Glassville Road and West Cross Road in Kenneth
• Dorrington Hill Road, from the intersection of Johnson Settlement Road to Route 630
• District 6 - Edmundston
• District 2 - Miramichi
• South Barnaby River Road
• Mullin Stream Road (gravel section)
• District 3 - Moncton
• Steeves and Bannister Road
• District 1 - Bathurst
• District 4 - Saint John
• Norton Shore Road from Ketchum Road to Perry Point Road, Kingston Corner
• Darlings Island Road
• West Tenants Cove Road
• Route 850 from Upper Midland Road to Bellisle Ferry landing
• Route 860 from the intersection of Route 860 at Lakeside Road to Stock Farm Road

These road closures and partial closures are causing significant detours and traffic delays in Fredericton. It is recommended to check official sources and local updates for the most current information on road conditions and closures in the area.

Four river ferries suspended

The following four river ferries in New Brunswick are suspended or closed:

Belleisle Bay Belleisle Belle (F62)

Operates on Belleisle Bay between Route 124 and Route 850. This ferry service has a length of crossing of 1.0 km, a crossing time of 7 minutes, and a capacity of 15 cars. It operates 24 hours a day, year-round.

Evandale Robert J. Irwin (F49)

This ferry operates on the Saint John River between Evandale on Route 102 and Route 124. The length of the crossing is 0.5 km, with a crossing time of 5 minutes, and a capacity of 18 cars. The Evandale Robert J. Irwin ferry also runs 24 hours a day, year-round.

Westfield Henry Nase (F60)

The Westfield ferry operates on the Saint John River between Grand Bay-Westfield on Route 177 and Hardings Point off Route 845. It has a length of crossing of 0.7 km and a crossing time of 5 minutes. With a capacity of 24 cars, this ferry service is available 24 hours a day, year-round.

Gagetown

A seasonal service operating on the Saint John River between Gagetown and Lower Jemseg, with a length of crossing of 0.6 km and a crossing time of 5 minutes. This ferry has a capacity of 15 cars and will be in service from June 7th to November 24th. On-demand service is provided from 8 am to 9 pm daily.

Alternative transport and parking arrangements

If you're referring to the Trans-Canada Highway, then yes, it has been closed from time to time due to flooding. For example, in April 2019, the highway was closed from Oromocto to River Glade, southwest of Moncton, due to flooding.

If you're travelling through New Brunswick and are concerned about highway closures, here are some alternative transport options and parking arrangements to consider:

• Alternative Routes: Depending on your origin and destination, you may consider taking alternative routes that bypass the Trans-Canada Highway. For example, if travelling east-west, you could consider taking Highway #16 or Highway #3 as alternative east-west routes.
• Detours: If only a section of the highway is closed, you may be able to detour around the closure by taking alternative roads. Be sure to check road conditions and closures before setting out.
• Public Transportation: Depending on your specific itinerary, you may be able to utilise public transportation options such as buses or trains to reach your destination. This may be a viable option if you are travelling between major cities or towns.
• Flights: If time is a concern and you need to reach your destination quickly, consider taking a flight to your destination. Moncton, Fredericton, and Saint John all have airports with regular flights to other parts of Canada.
• Parking Arrangements: If you are driving to one of the larger cities in New Brunswick, such as Fredericton, Moncton, or Saint John, be sure to check for any parking restrictions or closures. For example, in the event of flooding, certain parking lots and streets may be closed off. Look for designated parking areas that are likely to be safe from flooding, such as multi-storey car parks.
• Ride-sharing: If you are unable to drive due to highway closures, consider using ride-sharing services such as taxis or rideshare apps (if available in the area). This can be a convenient way to get around, especially if public transportation is limited.
• Bicycling: In certain areas, such as the city of Saint John, which is seeking to add a bike lane to Charlotte Street, cycling could be a viable alternative transport option.
• Walking: For shorter distances or within cities, consider walking as an alternative to driving or public transportation. This can be especially enjoyable in areas with scenic walking routes, such as along the Saint John River or the Bay of Fundy.

It is always a good idea to stay informed about road conditions and closures by checking official sources and local news outlets. This will help you plan your trip and make any necessary alternative transport or parking arrangements.

Frequently asked questions