The Morrissy Bridge is a steel truss bridge crossing the Miramichi River at Miramichi , New Brunswick , Canada .
8-505: Construction of Morrissy bridge began in 1913 and was completed and opened in November 1914. Named after Hon. John Morrissy , the Minister of Public Works, it was hailed as "one of the greatest structures in the province", and provided the first fixed road link between the former town of Newcastle and communities on the south side of the river. The bridge created a new obstacle for navigation, but
16-440: A livery stable operator. In 1879, he married Joanna Agnes Dunn. He served on the council for Northumberland County from 1882 to 1883. Morrissy was elected to the provincial assembly in an 1888 by-election held after William A. Park resigned his seat. He served in the province's Executive Council as Minister of Public Works from 1908 to 1916. Morrissy ran unsuccessfully for a federal seat in 1896, 1900 and 1917. He died in office at
24-516: A swing span in the bridge allowed large vessels to pass. The Morrissy Bridge was badly damaged on 5 November 1971 when the Panamanian registered Liberty Ship Grand Valor struck the second pier of the bridge while departing the Newcastle Wharf with a load of pulpwood. Several heavy trusses were knocked out and the swing span was moved off its bearing pad. Repairs took three weeks and the vessel
32-796: Is the vital cog in the Miramichi AT Plan. Much like the old train bridge in Fredericton, the Morrissy Bridge is the only really safe option for non-motorists to cross the river. The bridge's site also provides a key connection to downtown commerce and to Ritchie Wharf. Restoration of the bridge for trail users should be the number one priority of the AT Plan." 46°59′49″N 65°33′31″W / 46.99694°N 65.55861°W / 46.99694; -65.55861 John Morrissy John Veriker Morrissy (August 13, 1854 – July 31, 1924)
40-514: The age of 69. His son Charles Joseph Morrissy also served in the House of Commons. The Morrissy Bridge over the Miramichi River was named after John Morrissy. Change for Liberal candidate John Morrissy are based on the 1896 Liberal Party's results. His personal vote increased by 31.79% over his 1896 result running as an independent candidate. Unionist candidate W. S. Loggie's change from 1911
48-538: The bridge's steel deck supports had corroded to the point where the bridge was no longer safe for use. The Morrissy Bridge was closed permanently because of safety concerns Friday 12 September 2008. The bridge was to be dismantled, and not be replaced. A coalition of trails enthusiasts opposed the demolition; and in 2010, the Miramichi Active Transportation Master Plan included the structure in its long range plan, stating: "The Morrissy Bridge
56-654: Was a merchant and political figure in New Brunswick , Canada. He represented Northumberland County in the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick from 1888 to 1890 and from 1903 to 1916 and Northumberland in the House of Commons of Canada from 1921 to 1924 as a Liberal member. He was born in Newcastle , Colony of New Brunswick , the son of Patrick Morrissy and Rose Farrell, both Irish immigrants, and entered business as
64-488: Was arrested and later released. The swing span is no longer used, and the narrow deck of the bridge is now viewed as substandard. The new Miramichi Bridge completed in 1995 provides a wider, safer crossing only 1 km upstream. It has created a newer, permanent obstacle to upstream navigation. In 2008 the New Brunswick Department of Transportation carried out a detailed structural analysis and concluded that
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