The provincial government says they cannot afford to move forward at this time the refurbishment of the Centennial Bridge.

During a committee meeting yesterday, Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Bill Oliver told MLAs that this year’s phase of the work was going to cost 40 per cent more than expected.

An $82 million refurbishment of the bridge was announced several years ago amid growing concerns over the safety of the structure.

This year’s work was supposed to be a replacement of the driving surface, which called for a complete shutdown.

Miramichi Mayor Adam Lordon said his concern is public safety, noting that when the project was announced, safety was the primary issue.

The minister said everything needed to be done to ensure the safety of the bridge has been completed and that the bridge is safe.

Oliver also threw cold water on the idea of a northern bypass.

While he said the bypass would make life easier if the bridge were closed completely for repairs, he was skeptical of how useful the bypass would be once the bridge re-opened

Oliver also said yesterday that the province has hired a consultant to look at more affordable options for Route 11 from Bouctouche to Miramichi.

The previous Liberal government of Brian Gallant had committed to twinning the highway.

But that idea was scrapped by the Higgs government.

Oliver said that when an evaluation is complete, officials from his department will meet with Miramichi officials and MLAs to discuss what options are available to make the highway safer.