Charlotte-The Isles MLA Rick Doucet tells Tide News we have a number of skilled tradespeople who have worked on these bridges for many years. "We should pull some of these guys who used to work out of DOT out of retirement and help out with this project and make it a community project. It could be a great model because there are only so many covered bridges that are left."
He thinks using a combination of a local contractor and a few retired members of DOT who have expertise in covered bridges can get the job done -- with less money. "I've taken the opportunity to talk to some of these retired employees, and they feel that they can do the job, and I think it's a matter of just pushing it through the system. Let's take a creative approach, and get these guys on the ground to make it happen."
Doucet says after talking to some of the retired DOT members, he feels the bridge can be repaired for around $300,000, compared to $500,000 estimated by current DOT officials.
Doucet says he understand that Maxwell Crossing is not in his jurisdiction, but he has taken the time to reach out to Charlotte-Campobello MLA Curtis Malloch as a New Brunswicker who supports the heritage of the province.
Doucet says, as far as he is concerned, covered bridges should be on the endangered species list.
