Residents of Riverview are being urged to think outside the box when the Causeway closes for about six months next year.
Starting May 1, the Gunningsville Bridge will be the only way to cross the Petitcodiac River as construction concludes on a new steel girder bridge.
Riverview MLA Bruce Fitch says some employers might be flexible and allow employees to arrive and leave at staggered times.
“(During the pandemic) We’ve learned how to work from home, we’ve learned how to use Zoom. So there are additional tools available to us to help alleviate that traffic jam that could be occurring.”
Fitch said other options to consider include carpooling, cycling or even walking given the great trail systems which have been developed on both sides of the river.
Town CAO Colin Smith says there are challenges ahead but he sees an opportunity too.
“(For those) working from home or who don’t have a permanent office but they rely on these shared space office complexes that exist… Well maybe this is the perfect time for someone to start that in Riverview because there will be lots of people who may have traditionally crossed the river to go to one of those places in Moncton or Dieppe,” noted Smith.
In recent years, the Town has added turning lanes on the Riverview side of the Gunningsville Bridge to help alleviate congestion.
The construction of Bridgedale Boulevard, a 1.6K road between Gunningsville Boulevard and Runnymeade Road, is also expected to improve the east-to-west traffic flow.
A digital engagement session will be held on Wednesday, November 4, where the Town is inviting residents, business owners and major employers to help identify challenges and work towards solutions ahead of the Causeway closure.
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