Works starts to replace Seal Cove trestle

By Mark Squibb

Ward 4 councillor Melissa Hardy took a moment during this week’s public council meeting to advise residents, especially hikers, that work on the replacement of the Seal Cove trestle bridge is set to begin this coming Monday, April 8.

“So, I just wanted to let everyone know that it’s going to be impassable at the location of Dowden’s Road and the boat launch will not be accessible,” said Hardy.

She asked that drivers and pedestrians both be mindful of workers and equipment in the area and exercise extra precaution.

“The project is expected to take about three months but certainly everyone is looking forward to the work being completed so I think everyone will be okay with a little disruption for a few months,” said Hardy.

The federal government committed some $811,000 to both replace the trestle and complete upgrades along the T’Railway in Seal Cove.

The condition of the trestle had been a concern for some time. Built originally during the heyday of the Newfoundland railway, the structure has been deteriorating over the years with some of the large stones undergirding the banks below it tumbling into the channel used by boaters to access Conception Bay from Seal Cove Pond.