N.B. negotiating to buy Saint John Harbour Bridge from Ottawa

The New Brunswick government is negotiating with Ottawa to relieve the debt of the Saint John Harbour Bridge, a move that could see the province take over the 40-year-old span.

Premier Shawn Graham has sent a proposal to Ottawa asking the federal government to contribute more than $200 million in debt forgiveness and maintenance costs.

If that happens, Graham said the provincial government would gladly take over the span.

Saint John Conservative MP Rodney Weston made it a campaign promise in the recent federal election to get the tolls off the bridge and have the debt forgiven.

He said he is glad negotiations have started, but doesn't think the federal government should be the only one paying.

"I have difficulty understanding why the province feels they bear no responsibility here when it comes to the Harbour Bridge in Saint John," Weston said.

Negotiations are going on, however, without the participation of the group that actually owns the bridge.

Left out of the negotiations has been the Saint John Harbour Bridge Authority, which was created by the provincial government in 1962 and is the actual owner of the bridge.

Ken Anthony, the bridge authority's general manager, said he's frustrated not being involved in the bridge debate.

"One of the hardest things in this, for me is kind of sitting on the sidelines and watching the future of the bridge be debated by two levels of government, having not very much input yourself and having staff come to you and say, 'You know, what's my future here,'" Anthony said.

If the province were to gain control of the bridge, it would consider making it part of the provincial highway system without tolls.

Weston said he'd like an agreement hammered out within weeks or months.