From left, Kathy Belec, Andre Fortin, Raymond Durocher, and
Jane Toller (Pitfield).
Allyson Beauregard & Gaetan Forgues
From left, Kathy Belec, Andre Fortin, Raymond Durocher, and
Jane Toller (Pitfield).
Allyson Beauregard & Gaetan Forgues
FORT-COULONGE & MANSFIELD – On behalf of the Minister of Transport, Robert Poeti, Pontiac MNA Andre Fortin held a press conference in front of
the Marchand bridge to announce that the Ministry has confirmed the bridge will be completely rehabilitated and reopened to vehicular traffic; the work
is expected to be complete in 2017.
“The bridge was closed in May 2014 shortly after I was elected so I considered the file a personal challenge. There are very few files that are this significant to the community. Many citizens and organizations banded together to have their voices heard to ensure the bridge was re-opened,” said Fortin, who explained the Ministry is currently in stage one – completing the preliminary design – of the four stage rehabilitation process which then includes developing plans and specifications, obtaining necessary permits, and finally, proceeding with the tendering process.
Kathy Belec, Mayor
of Mansfield, Raymond Durocher, MRC Pontiac Warden and Mayor of Fort-Coulonge, and Jane Toller, owner of Spruceholme and Vice-president of Tourism Pontiac, thanked Fortin for his work in ensuring the bridge was re-opened and the Ministry for deciding
to do so. “Our petition,
support rally, and other actions really made a
difference,” said Toller, who requested that a sign stating the bridge will be re-opened soon replace the “Pont barré” sign.
