QUEBEC CITY — About 55 percent of 4,281 bridges examined in Quebec are in poor shape and nearly half in smaller communities are falling apart, according to a recent survey done by the provincial department of transportation.

With that news in mind, Transport Minister Julie Boulet admitted that a previous Quebec Liberal government’s decision to download bridge maintenance responsibilities to municipal authorities was a mistake, Canadian Press reports.

“We’re taking them back today, and that’s good news. Sometimes it’s better late than never,” she was quoted as saying.

Quebec’s highways and bridges have been getting a lot of attention since an overpass collapsed in Laval in 2006, killing five people and injuring six.

A subsequent investigation conclude that neglect led to shear cracks inside the support abutment of the de la Concorde Blvd. overpass. The tragedy promoted the government to ban heavy-loaded trucks on 135 concrete bridges, overpasses, and ramps.

Boulet said the government plans to fix 70 percent of municipal bridges by 2012.

— with files from Canadian Press