Achi news desk-
Traffic will be blocked from crossing the world’s longest covered bridge in New Brunswick on Monday afternoon as a total solar eclipse passes overhead.
The Hartland Covered Bridge will be closed to vehicles between noon and 6pm
“Just to control traffic and avoid any mishaps with people who are not familiar with the protocols of getting on or off the bridge,” said Rob Webber, Hartland’s chief administrative officer.
Before vehicles can proceed on the 391-metre span, drivers must wait on each side of the bridge for traffic to clear before proceeding.
“The easiest way to prevent any problems is to just close the bridge, so it doesn’t create any problems with congestion in the city,” Webber said.
Vehicles will be diverted to the nearby Hugh John Flemming Bridge to cross the St John’s River.
“For us, it’s a very hands-on day,” Webber said. “Our staff will be used for traffic control and placed around designated parking areas, and on streets to direct traffic.”
A public viewing event called ‘Total Eclipse of the Hartland’ is scheduled for that afternoon at the community school.
Webber says enthusiasm for the event has grown locally in recent weeks, but it’s “anyone’s guess” how many visitors will travel to the area – a prime location within the entire show route.
“We don’t have any specific information on what the numbers will be, but we’ve heard estimates of several thousand up to 10,000 in Carleton County,” Webber said.
The New Brunswick Emergency Measures Organization is monitoring the incident, focusing on the incoming crowds.
“There’s certainly been an increase in hotel bookings, so you know some people are coming,” said NB EMO spokesman Geoffrey Downey. “But it’s really a question of how many people are maybe coming from Nova Scotia, or (driving) in for the day from parts of Quebec.”
Downey says people driving anywhere within Monday’s route should prepare for possible delays.
“So make sure people have a full tank of gas if they’re going out,” Downey said. “And make sure they have some snacks and water in the car, because there could certainly be long lines of traffic.”
