SUSSEX, N.B. — A New Brunswick woman who was stranded for 10 days after flooding washed out a bridge to her home says she feels free now that a temporary walking bridge has been built.
Mary Ann Coleman of Waterford, N.B., in the southeast of the province, lost her bridge after a storm on Dec. 1 flooded Trout Creek, which runs along the front of her property.
She said debris in the creek dammed a Department of Transportation culvert that was installed in 2019, and the rising waters washed away her bridge.
Coleman blames the design of the new culvert for creating a dam when debris collected in front of it.
"It's one of those things you don't ever think about, that you can lose that kind of access, just normal everyday access to people and what's going on. It's really something to have it back," Coleman said Saturday.
She said while the bridge wasn't completed until late Friday, she was already making good use of it.
"My daughter was out, and my grand-daughters were out and I've had friends over it. It's made a really big difference in my life already," she said.
The new bridge is about 18 metres in length.
Transportation Minister Jill Green offered little comment this week because Coleman has opened a claim against the province.
She said Coleman was taking the right step in getting the claim process started.
Coleman said she's concerned what would happen if she needed a ambulance or firetruck to respond to her home. She said a permanent bridge for vehicles is needed.
Coleman lives in the home along with her cat, Mo, who had yet to venture onto the new span.
"He sits out where the old bridge used to be and looks across. He used to take the old bridge to check things out on the other side, but I don't think he's figured out the new one yet," she said.
- By Kevin Bissett in Fredericton.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 12, 2020.
The Canadian Press
