ANTIGONISH: After months of anticipation, the College Street Bridge in Antigonish has officially reopened to traffic, marking the end of an extended closure that began in April 2024.
The bridge, which serves as a vital route connecting the town’s downtown core with the rest of the town, was closed for necessary repairs and upgrades.
The closure, which lasted nearly nine months, created significant disruptions for commuters and pedestrians alike. Detours were put in place, and residents relied on alternate routes to navigate around the closure.
The project involved structural improvements to ensure the safety and longevity of the bridge, which had been showing signs of wear due to its age.
“Repairs to the College Street Bridge are now complete, and the bridge is open to motorists and pedestrians,” the Town of Antigonish said on social media Dec. 19. “The bridge is open to accommodate two-way traffic with a weight restriction of 15 tonnes.”
The repairs focused on reinforcing the bridge’s foundation, updating the decking, and replacing some of the structural elements that had deteriorated over time. In addition to these upgrades, improvements were made to ensure the bridge meets modern safety standards.
“A single sidewalk on the east side is available for pedestrians.”
The reopening of the College Street Bridge is a welcome development for both local residents and businesses, many of whom were impacted by the disruption in foot and vehicle traffic.
“It’s a relief to have the bridge open again,” a local business owner said, who operates a store nearby. “The closure definitely affected our foot traffic, but now we’re looking forward to getting back to normal.”
A stop work order was placed on the construction site on Nov. 15, following a workplace incident that left one person with injuries.
With the reopening of the College Street Bridge, residents of Antigonish can once again enjoy the ease of movement that the bridge offers.
“We thank residents for their patience and understanding during the closure,” the town said. “We know this has been an inconvenience and appreciate your cooperation throughout the repair process.”