Editorial: Bridge issue an all-out boondoggle

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It’s not the water in this case, it’s the bridge over it that’s troubled.

What started out as a “botched” job in repaving the Princess Margaret Bridge – as Liberal transportation critic Chuck Chiasson put it last fall – has turned into an all-out boondoggle.

And one that’s going to cost taxpayers far more than they bargained for.

After weeks of work last summer, Fredericton residents were happy to see their main connection over the St. John River reopened, only to discover the paving wasn’t done properly, leaving major dips at the expansion joints, slowing traffic as vehicles carefully crossed over each of these reverse speedbumps.

Not to worry, the province assured after complaints poured in, crews will fix it right up, and pilons went back up.

“Everything’s great,” Transportation Minister Richard Ames said after the re-reopening.

But, again, it wasn’t. And time had run out for the season, so drivers had to live with the bumpy ride all winter.

A second fix is now planned, and this time it will mean a bridge closure of five weeks, and at a cost of at least $2.57 million – the lowest bid on the job, which had been estimated at $1.5 million.

Even if it came in on budget, it’s an extra $1.5 million that should have never been out of pocket in the first place had it been done right. Where are the consequences? Who is holding this to account?

So far as we’ve heard from the province: nobody.