Westmorland Street Bridge reopens after crash causes major traffic jam

The Westmorland Street Bridge has reopened after a serious crash forced a bridge closure in both directions and had people waiting for hours in a traffic gridlock.

People sought other ways across the St. John River, which increased traffic at other crossings, including a jam at the Mactaquac Dam.

Other small incidents around Fredericton compoundedthe major traffic tie-up in the city, according toSonya Gilks, spokesperson forthe Fredericton police.

She said there was a "significant"crash on the Westmorland Street Bridge at 10:30 a.m., but no one was killed. No other details were available.

The bridge remained closed until just after 1 p.m., while police, fire and emergency finished clearing the scene.

At the same time as the first crash, a more minor crash occurredon on St. Mary's Street, said Gilks.

Then a little bit later, she said, another vehicle broke down in the area of BeaverbrookStreet and Waterloo Row.

After the Westmorland Street Bridge reopened, acrash happened on the Princess Margaret Bridge the otherbridge that carries traffic between the north and south sides of the city.

Gilks said it was a two-vehicle crash with minor injuries. It closed the northbound lane, but police were directing traffic through in the open lane.