Bridge near Hantsport abruptly closed due to structural concerns

A bridge that leads into Hantsport, N.S., is closed due to concerns over its structural soundness after parts of it gave out, according to the mayor of the area municipality.

The short timber-frame bridge, which is maintained by the Nova Scotia government, is on Highway 1 and crosses the Halfway River just east of the Annapolis Valley town.

West Hants Mayor Abraham Zebian said a crew with the provincial Department of Public Works determined Monday morning there had been "a significant shift downwards" on parts of the span.

Toby Koffman, a spokesperson for Public Works, said the department closed the bridge immediately after being notified it had been damaged, possibly by an overloaded vehicle.

Repairs are expected to take a couple of months and traffic will be detoured.

Paul Maynard, Hantsport's deputy fire chief, said the bridge is a main artery into the town for people travelling in from Highway 101. He said the detour will be an inconvenience.

"We haven't seen any structure fall into the river, but just broken beams and stuff underneath, apparently," he said.