The Province of Nova Scotia and its contractor have informed the Town of Bridgewater that the renewal project on Veterans Memorial Bridge planned for this summer is scheduled to begin on Monday, July 28, 2025.

This project will include replacement of the bridge’s expansion joints and renewal work of the bridge deck and its sidewalks. The bridge renewal work is expected to take up to 10 weeks to complete, concluding in early October.

🚗 TRAFFIC FLOW DURING WORK

During the bridge renewal project, all traffic lights on both sides of the bridge will remain active as usual and traffic control personnel are not expected to be present. Motorists should, however, expect that traffic across the bridge will be reduced to one lane in each direction during the work.

As a result, anyone travelling this corridor should expect to take extra time to reach their destination, particularly during peak traffic hours.

If at all possible, motorists may wish to use alternate routes of travel to cross the LaHave River. Other options include Old Bridge, Cookville Bridge, and using Highway 103.

🚶‍♀️ SIDEWALK ACCESS DURING WORK

The Province has advised that at least one side of the sidewalk infrastructure on the bridge will remain open during work, allowing pedestrians to safely cross in this area. It is expected that work on the south sidewalk will take place first.

🚦 LAHAVE & ABERDEEN INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENT WORK

The Town of Bridgewater’s planned upgrades at the intersection of LaHave Street and Aberdeen Road, which includes extending the west-bound turning lane from north LaHave Street on to Veterans Bridge (travelling from the direction of Silvers Hill), will take place later this summer.

We will share additional information with the public when the start date for that project has been confirmed.

For a map of this project area, please visit www.bridgewater.ca/roads.

The Town of Bridgewater and the Bridgewater Fire Department are excited to launch a new community survey in which we're inviting you to share your feedback and opinion of the Bridgewater Fire Department.

The Bridgewater Fire Department (BFD) was established in 1876. With approximately 50 volunteers, BFD provides emergency services for fire, motor vehicle collisions, ice and water rescues, and many other fire-protection services.

Yearly, BFD responds to over 300 emergency calls in our community, while also providing assistance as requested by neighbouring departments.

The Town of Bridgewater and BFD are engaging in a Fire Service Review to examine key areas of the fire services provided to the residents and businesses of the Town of Bridgewater, and provide an in-depth analysis of these areas.

The Fire Service Review will ultimately provide an overall vision, direction, and guidance for Town Council to make decisions about service improvements and enhancements through fire hall facilities, fleet configuration, and any other elements that affect the delivery of fire services - all with an eye toward matching the growing needs of the community.

To accomplish this, Emergency Management Group Inc. (EMG) has been engaged to assist us with this initiative. EMG is a consulting firm that has worked with many fire departments in developing their fire master plans, station assessments, and fire service reviews.

To successfully gather community feedback, we need your assistance and invite you to complete the survey that can be found at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/M9V5ZJL.

Your confidential responses will help to ensure focused action and informed decision making that continues to meet the diverse needs of all residents.

Due to the potential for wet weather midweek, the Town of Bridgewater's Hemlock Woolly Adelgid team is postponing its planned second season of pesticide treatment focused on Section 2 of Woodland Gardens until June 24 to 26, 2025.

Section 2 is located behind Tiny Tots Playground and includes the portion of Woodland Gardens that spans from near the intersection of Fern Avenue and Jubilee Road on the south to just past the Elizabeth Avenue trail access on the west. Click here for a map of the area.

Treatment for Hemlock Woolly Adelgid will take place on Tuesday, June 24. Out of an abundance of caution, this section of Woodland Gardens will be closed to the public starting on June 24 through June 26, 2025.

The playground and pool area, as well as the meadow near DesBrisay Museum, will be open to the public as usual during this work.

For more information on this important project that's working to preserve out community's hemlock trees, please visit www.bridgewater.ca/HWA. 

DISCOVER DOWNTOWN BRIDGEWATER DAY
>>> More than 50 events and activities are scheduled for Saturday!

Discover Downtown Bridgewater Day is coming this Saturday, May 31, and we can't wait to show you all that Bridgewater has to offer!

Our King Street and LaHave Street downtown core in the heart of the LaHave River Valley will be full of sights and sounds to fill your day!

Enjoy the live music, exhibitions by local groups, fashions from local shops, specially-priced tastes from our local restaurants, and so much more!

To get a taste for what's on the menu and what special offers and events are on the table, check out the Discover Downtown Bridgewater Day map on the TOB Events Board by clicking here.

This event is raining or shine. Some outdoor programming may be affected be weather and schedule is subject to change.

OFFICIAL PROCLAMATION
>>> Access Awareness Week in the Town of Bridgewater

WHEREAS, the week of May 25 to May 31, 2025, is recognized as Access Awareness Week; and 

Access Awareness Week aims to celebrate achievements made both by and for persons with disabilities in the areas of accessibility, transportation, housing, employment, recreation, education, and communication; and 

This is the 39th year that this public awareness initiative has taken place in Nova Scotia; and 

The theme for 2025 Access Awareness Week is Our Voices, Our Votes: Disability Rights in Action; and

Accessibility barriers are many and interconnected, removing and preventing them is challenging and complex; and 

The foundation of Nova Scotia's Accessibility Act is to provide, support, and protect the rights of persons with disabilities to full inclusion and accessibility by the identification, prevention, and removal of accessibility barriers; and 

Access Awareness Week promotes the inclusion of all Nova Scotians with disabilities as full citizens within our communities; and 

Through public awareness, community partnerships and education, this campaign aims to foster an environment of equal participation for persons with disabilities within the Town of Bridgewater;

THEREFORE, be it resolved that Town Council for the Town of Bridgewater does hereby proclaim May 25 - May 31, 2025, as "Access Awareness Week" in the Town of Bridgewater.

Signed this 12th day of May, 2025, at Bridgewater, in the County of Lunenburg, in the Province of Nova Scotia.

For more information on Access Awareness Week and events associated with it, please visit https://accessible.novascotia.ca/awareness-events.

The Town of Bridgewater and Bridgewater Police Service have been made aware of a text message scam that has recently been occurring in our area.

Some local residents have reported receiving a text message claiming that money is owed for unpaid parking tickets/passes. The message then asks the recipients to take action to make payment on the alleged outstanding amount.

The Town of Bridgewater DOES NOT collect outstanding money in this manner, nor does the Town of Bridgewater or Bridgewater Police Services send notices via text message in this manner.

If you receive a text message like this, do not click on any links or respond to the message. Mark it as spam, delete the message, and, block the phone number from which the message originated.

To learn more about how to protect yourself from fraud, visit https://antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/index-eng.htm.

We invite you to share this message.

SHIPYARDS LANDING PARK UPGRADES
The Town's Public Works team has begun work today on site improvements at Shipyards Landing.

Phase 1 of the work will see the installation of new picnic shelters and new walkways in the park. Work is expected to take place over the next month or so.

The portion of the park where work is taking place is fenced off for safety reasons and will not be accessible to the public.

Park-going patrons may continue to use the rest of the park while work is taking place, using caution when approaching the fencing and work areas.

The Public Service Commission of Bridgewater (PSCB) wishes to advise its water service customers that watermains will be flushed in the Town of Bridgewater starting on May 10. Flushing will take place between 1 p.m. and 12 midnight based on the schedule that follows below.

Water customers are reminded that some loss of pressure and discolouration of water may be experienced during the flushing. The PSCB and the Town apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

Customers are also reminded that domestic hot water tanks should be flushed annually, and main water valves in basements should be turned off when flushing is being undertaken in your area.

If you have any questions, please contact the Engineering Department at (902) 541-4370.

FLUSHING SCHEDULE
May 10 and 13-15 >>> All streets on the west side of LaHave River, north of Dufferin Street, but not including Dufferin Street.

May 17 and 18 >>> All streets between Dufferin Street and Jubilee Road, including Dufferin Street, but not including Jubilee Road.

May 20 and 21 >>> All streets south of and including Jubilee Road, and west to but not including DesBrisay Drive.

May 22, 24 and 25 >>> East side of LaHave River starting at Chapel Hill Road, flushing all streets westerly to LaHave Street.

May 27 >>> "Pressure zone" on east side of LaHave River, which includes Winter Street, Winburn Avenue above Glen Sarty Drive, Pine Grove Road, New Pine Grove Road, and Highway 10 between Highway 103 and Champlain Drive.

May 28 >>> "Pressure zone" Dufferin Street Booster Station on west side of LaHave River which includes Pinecrest Subdivisions (DesBrisay, Olympiad, Sunset, Pinecrest, Cherry), Westmount Heights Subdivision (Atlantic, Westmount, Centennial, Micmac) and the upper end of Jubilee Road (from DesBrisay Dr. to Route 3).

Please note that this schedule is tentative and may change due to weather and water storage conditions.

OFFICIAL PROCLAMATION
>>> Lyme Disease Awareness Month

WHEREAS Lyme Disease is a serious illness caused by the bite of a black-legged tick infected with the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi; and

WHEREAS black-legged ticks carrying a variety of diseases or illnesses can now be found in all parts of Nova Scotia; and

WHEREAS awareness, education, and practicing preventive measures, such as daily tick checks and proper tick removal, can help reduce your chances of contracting tick-borne diseases;

THEREFORE, be it resolved that Town Council for the Town of Bridgewater proclaim that May 2025 shall be known as "LYME DISEASE AWARENESS MONTH," signed this 28th of April, 2025, at Bridgewater, in the County of Lunenburg, in the Province of Nova Scotia.

OFFICIAL PROCLAMATION
>>> Gaelic Nova Scotia Month

WHEREAS 2025 marks the 29th anniversary of Gaelic Nova Scotia Month, which is a time to embrace, honour, and celebrate the language, culture, history, contributions, and achievements of Gaels across the Province; and

WHEREAS Gaelic language and culture are integral components of the identity of Nova Scotia, and the Gaels represent one of the earliest non-Indigenous cultural groups to settle in Mi'kma'ki; and

WHEREAS new generations of language learners and cultural champions continue to build upon the legacy of Gaelic Nova Scotia's tradition bearers; and

WHEREAS government commits to collaborating with Gaelic communities to support the growth of Gaelic Nova Scotia through opportunities for language acquisition, cultural awareness and capacity building within communities to ensure Gaelic language and culture remain vibrant elements of the living linguistic and cultural landscape of Nova Scotia;

THEREFORE, Town Council for the Town of Bridgewater does hereby proclaim May 2025 as "Gaelic Nova Scotia Month" in the Town of Bridgewater, signed this 28th day of April, 2025, at Bridgewater, in the County of Lunenburg, in the Province of Nova Scotia.

A team from McGill University are studying energy needs, housing, and well-being in the community and they want to hear from you!

In 2022, the researchers distributed a survey in Bridgewater and they will be returning this May with a follow-up survey to measure changes over the past few years.

One member per household, residing in Bridgewater, aged 19 years and older, who are either renters or homeowners, and who have lived at their current address since at least January 2025 are eligible to take part. Those who complete the survey will receive a gift card for Fresh Cuts Market!

The survey will run from April 29 to June 15, 2025. For more information, and to take the survey when it opens, visit www.bridgewater.ca/2025survey.

If you have any questions about the research, please contact the research team. You can reach them by phone at 438-354-9043 or by e-mail at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Bridgewater Town Council passed its 2025-2026 Capital and Operating Budget on Monday, March 31, 2025, with no increase in property tax rates for residential or commercial owners in the community.

Total budgeted operating expenses for the coming year will amount to just shy of $34 million, an increase of approximately $1.95 million over the previous year's budget. On the capital side of the ledger, Bridgewater's new capital expenditures are budgeted to total $16.9 million and there are $28.9 million in carry forward project expenses.

"For Bridgewater, it's no secret that we have a massive infrastructure renewal program taking place over the next decade," Mayor David Mitchell said. "This will mean Bridgewater's Capital Budget is higher than we have ever seen before - but without it we cannot grow, and we cannot continue to attract new jobs, industry, doctors, and families."

It will also be a very busy year for roadwork with close to $3 million earmarked for road improvement projects, the mayor added, noting, "I think we can all agree it is needed."

"Municipal budgets are never easy. Unlike provincial or federal governments, we cannot run a deficit and, so, our operating budgets must balance," Mayor Mitchell explained. "We will continue to seek out partnerships and other sources of funding for the projects we have ahead. We have great relationships with our provincial and federal colleagues and, as a community, Bridgewater has demonstrated time and again that our contributions to the Nova Scotia economy are not insignificant. We are an important part of this province and of Canada and they see that."

BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS

► Residential tax rate remains at $1.85 per $100 of assessment.

► Commercial tax rate remains at $4.07 per $100 of assessment.

► The commitment toward capital projects this year includes:

- A total of $11.1 million will be invested in wastewater infrastructure to support residential and business growth and development. Ongoing investment in wastewater infrastructure will also have a positive impact on the environment and the health of the LaHave River.

- A total of $2.85 million is being invested in road-related upgrades, including paving projects on St. Phillips Street, Empire Street, and pavement renewal projects throughout Bridgewater that will take place later this summer. A project to add a longer right-hand turning late from north LaHave Street on the approach to Veterans Memorial Bridge will take place while the Province of Nova Scotia completes upgrades to the bridge's decking later this year.

- A total of $160,000 is also earmarked for sidewalk upgrades, an increase of $20,000 over last year.

- Ongoing investment in infrastructure, services work, and the development of a land sales marketing strategy and concept plan for the Exit 12A Bridgewater Business Park lands.

► The Town's commitment to core services and strategic priorities remains strong, including allocations for Fire Protection ($1.8 million), Bridgewater Police Service ($4.67 million net), and the Lunenburg County Regional Emergency Management Organization ($49,000).

► Council is also investing in several initiatives designed to enhance quality of life in the community and Bridgewater's profile as a desirable destination:

- Roughly $158,000 will once again be going toward a park preservation project, designed to safeguard Bridgewater's parkland trees against the invasive Hemlock Woolly Adelgid.

- The Town is investing $2.7 million total in recreation facilities, including the Lunenburg County Lifestyle Centre, the O'Regan's Subaru Outdoor Swimming Pool, and the community's wealth of parks, playgrounds, and trail networks.

- More than $1.4 million is being invested in reducing energy poverty through Energize Bridgewater programs.

- Bridgewater is investing more than $106,000 in community events, such as Canada Day on the LaHave, Christmas on the LaHave, Harvest Moon Music Festival, and the acclaimed Music on the Riverbank concert series.

- The Town is providing $70,000 in funding to its Low-Income Property Tax Exemption program; $25,000 to ProKids and a new ProFund to support adults facing financial barriers who are seeking to access activities; $45,000 to local non-profits through the Grants to Organizations program; and $123,000 in support of qualified tax-exempt properties owned by non-profit organizations.

Interim tax bills will be mailed in April and will come due by Friday, May 30. Final tax bills will be mailed in August and come due on Monday, September 29.

Budget information, including the complete operating and capital budgets, is available to download and view at www.bridgewater.ca/budget25.