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- ⚠️ DTI Bends Under Bridge Pressure
⚠️ DTI Bends Under Bridge Pressure
Saint John’s biggest infrastructure headache takes another twist.
SJ Today
July 11, 2025
Good morning Saint John! If the traffic’s driving you mad, might I suggest swapping your commute for a canoe? Life flows easier on the river…where the only thing to worry about is a sturgeon jumping aboard and demanding snacks. 🐟
Here’s what’s up this morning:
Chamber calling out bridge construction 🏗️
Why is auto insurance so high in NB? 💸
The hottest links of the week 🔥
Cheers to the weekend!
-Geoff Walsh, Publisher
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NEWS NOTES
🛑 Chamber Sounds Off on Bridge Blackouts
Just when we thought 20-minute surprise closures of the Harbour Bridge couldn’t get more unpopular, the Saint John Region Chamber has entered the chat…and they’re not mincing words.
They’ve sent a formal letter to the province calling for an end to the daytime closures, saying the current plan hits businesses, commuters, transit users, and healthcare access “where it hurts.” Their ask is pretty simple and has been echoed across the harbour: shift the work to overnight hours, like many other cities do, and communicate better while you're at it.
“Closures during business hours may deter customers from traveling across the city to shop, dine, or attend appointments,” the letter reads. “Repeated delays could foster frustration and long-term behavioural shifts that negatively impact foot traffic and commerce.”
Last night, the City confirmed the first 20-minute closure took place between 6:30pm and 7:30pm. DTI now says these brief shutdowns will happen two to three times a month, only between 6:30pm and 7:30am, and will last no more than 20 minutes. The work involves raising the bridge deck using jacks, which requires a traffic-free zone for safety.
The Chamber’s CEO, Shannon Merrifield, had requested a meeting with the Transportation Minister and local MLAs to push for changes. Now that the schedule appears to have shifted to nighttime, the question is, will that meeting still go ahead?
🚗 Car Theft’s Up. So Are Your Rates.
While most of Canada is seeing a drop in auto theft, New Brunswick is bucking the trend and it's costing us. Car thefts have tripled here over the past decade, with thieves now using Wi-Fi jammers and cloned fobs to swipe vehicles without even setting off alarms.
Major insurers have responded with double-digit rate hikes, some as high as 18 percent. Even if your car's never been touched, you're still footing the bill. The pros say to lock up, light up, and stash your key fob in a Faraday pouch. Some insurers offer discounts for tracking tech or anti-theft devices, so check your policy…or just start sleeping in your car.
🏆 Top Clicks of the Week
Monday: Become a local expert with Envision’s free Ambassador Program
Tuesday: Artslink NB hosted an open house to showcase their lending library
Wednesday: Sea Dogs team with Maestro for new hype video
Thursday: HFX Wanderers v Wrexham this weekend in SJ
🔥 Hot take from history
On this day in 1788, that Benedict Arnold, yes, the famous traitor himself, was living in Saint John and running a store on Main Street when it mysteriously went up in flames. His ex-business partner claimed Arnold torched the place on purpose for the insurance money. Nothing was ever proven, but let’s just say if anyone knew how to burn bridges, it was Benedict.
*Nothing in this section is sponsored, just things you need to know. We’ll always let you know if items are sponsored.
LOCAL BUSINESS
🍺 Drifter Brew Co. Turns One
Rothesay’s own Drifter Brew Co. is raising a glass this Saturday, July 12, from noon to 4pm, celebrating their first birthday with a Drift Into Summer Market. Expect local brews, BBQ, tunes, and vendors, all rain or shine. It’s a community cheers to one year of great beer and good vibes. Here’s to many more!
*Nothing in this section is sponsored, just things you need to know. We’ll always let you know if items are sponsored.
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EVENTS
What’s Happenin’
What we’re up to this weekend.
Stay cool and have fun!
Rockwood Park Playground Reopens
The newly revamped playground at Rockwood Park is ready for action. Swing higher, slide faster, and explore fresh new structures made for all ages. A few finishing touches are still happening, but it’s open for fun now.
East Coast Emo Night | July 11
Bring your nostalgia and your best air guitar to AREA 506 for a night spinning 90s and early 00s emo hits. It’s not just a phase, it’s a full-on singalong. Perfect for those who still remember all the words.
Wanderers vs Wrexham U21 | July 12
Halifax Wanderers’ U21 squad faces off against Wrexham’s U21s, yep, the same Wrexham owned by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney (now just Mac). It’s the final match of the Summer Series and Wrexham’s first-ever trip to the Maritimes. Kickoff is 1pm at Canada Games Stadium. Future pros and some serious soccer energy guaranteed.
Zack Ingles Band at Town Square Pavilion | July 13
Wrap up your weekend with the Zack Ingles Band’s local sounds from 6:30 to 8pm as part of the Summer Concert Series. Rain or shine, but if the weather turns, they’ll move indoors to the Mike Murphy Memorial Field House. Perfect Sunday vibes guaranteed.
*Nothing in this section is sponsored, just things you need to know. We’ll always let you know if items are sponsored.
LOCAL PICS
WHERE WERE WE WEDNESDAY? 📸
📍 On Wednesday we shared this pic and asked you to guess where we were. The photo was taken on Canada Day on the patio at the Country Club as we took cover from the rain. If you haven’t been in to take a selfie with the horse wearing this lamp shade yet, you’ve gotta get down there! Shout out to Jordan T. and Susan M. for correctly guessing where we were!
Tag @sjtoday.ca to get your photos featured!
SIDE NOTES
Today’s Tides 🌊
High Tide | 00:44 AM(Fri 11 July) | 7.59 m(24.9 ft) |
Low Tide | 7:04 AM(Fri 11 July) | 1.24 m(4.07 ft) |
High Tide | 1:13 PM(Fri 11 July) | 7.16 m(23.49 ft) |
Low Tide | 7:18 PM(Fri 11 July) | 1.64 m(5.38 ft) |
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Thanks!
Thanks for reading SJ Today - If you found it useful, share it with someone who needs to reel in some local info 🎣.
-Geoff Walsh - Publisher