New BrunswickIn September, two trucks hit the pedestrian overpass within three days. That prompted some local businesses to announce prizes for those who could predict when the next crash would happen.Local businesses organized a giveaway for those who could guess the next crash dateRhythm Rathi · CBC News · Posted: Oct 19, 2025 9:30 AM EDT | Last Updated: 2 hours agoChad McGarity has reset the countdown for his next giveaway, whoever can guess when the next truck would hit the bridge wins a $150 gift card and a custom made sign. (Chad McGarity)Guessing when the next transport truck hits a Fredericton walking bridge might win you a prize.The Bill Thorpe Walking Bridge on Waterloo Row has been struck 15 times in less than two decades by transport trucks, confirmed the city. The last hit was on Friday.In September, two trucks hit the bridge within three days. That prompted some local businesses to announce prizes for those who could predict when the next accident would happen.The New England Pizza Company, which is a 20-minute walk from the bridge, promised a $100 gift card for multiple winners. Owner Chris Babineau said he wasn’t expecting the payout would come this soon.”I was outside and I was on Facebook, and I had seen that it had got hit one minute ago,” he said.”My heart sank because I knew, ‘Oh my God,’ with the engagement we got … honestly, I wasn’t expecting anything this year.”Babineau said so far there are 20 winners and counting, as he continues to sort through 800 shared posts and over 2,000 comments. Friday’s accident has translated into over $2,000 worth of free pizzas for Babineau.Over 20 people won a $100 gift card from Fredericton’s New England Pizza Company after guessing the day a transport truck would hit the overpass. (Chris Babineau)”We’re planning to do something else, but I’m going to tell you we’re going to have sponsors for the next one,” he said.Babineau, a former truck driver, has avoided hitting the bridge in the past. He said he was accompanying his father in 2021 when they saw the bridge and decided to turn around.”We knew it wasn’t going to fit,” he said.Babineau said there is plenty of signage each way to warn truckers. He said most drivers who hit the bridge are not from the area.Chris Babineau is a former trucker who once decided to avoid the Bill Thorpe Walking Bridge. Dexter the dog is his trucking buddy. (Chris Babineau)”There are truck-specific warning signs on the approaches to the underpass and strikes are usually the result of driver error or misinformation from GPS,” the City of Fredericton said in an email.Chad McGarity, owner of Traffic Zone Signs and Supplies, gave away a $150 gift card and a custom-made sign to someone who could guess the correct number of days until the next accident.He reset the countdown on Saturday. “We’ll continue on,” he said.McGarity said the contest is a marketing tool for his business, but more for public awareness.”I think ultimately it would be best if there was more signage or flashing lights or eliminating transports from using that road,” he said.Chad McGarity did a daily countdown until Friday. It began when two trucks hit the overpass in September. He has now reset his signboard for the next contest, he said. (Chad McGarity)The City of Fredericton confirmed that it performs inspections on the bridge and “does not anticipate” truck strikes to cause any structural problems.Babineau said the engagement on his bridge-related contest has been massive, and some people have edited their comments in order to win.On Saturday, he asked the public to decide what the punishment should be — including the threat of a cheeseless mushroom and pineapple pizza.ABOUT THE AUTHORRhythm Rathi is a reporter with CBC New Brunswick in Moncton. He was born and raised in India, and attended journalism school in Ontario. Send your story tips to rhythm.rathi@cbc.ca
Guessing when next transport truck hits N.B. walking bridge might win you a prize
