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.

Several heavy trusses were knocked out and the swing span was moved off its bearing pad.

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.

The bridge's site also provides a key connection to downtown commerce and to Ritchie Wharf.