ST. ANNE, New Brunswick — While about 30 truckers demonstrated outside, the topic Thursday at New Brunswick Premier Frank McKenna’s weekly Cabinet meeting was a report denouncing a fixed-link project between New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island.

An environmental study released Wednesday said the $100 million project calling for an 8.4-mile bridge between New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island was unacceptable. Although the study was requested by the federal government, it does not determine whether the government will build the bridge.

McKenna said at a press conference that although his government respects the process of study, it intends to look at what can be done to make the project environmentally sound.

“We believe that it is possible to take care of the problems,” he said.

The bridge, or another proposal to build a tunnel, would be a federal venture.

Many Prince Edward Island residents reportedly oppose the project because they are satisfied with the ferry service, which links the island’s 125,000 inhabitants to the mainland.

About 30 truckers belonging to the Madawaska County Independent Truckers Association blocked traffic Thursday when McKenna and his Cabinet arrived at St. Anne Knights of Columbus Hall. The truckers were frustrated at having idle trucks while more than $8 million of highway construction projects are under way in the Edmundston area.

Sheldon Lee, New Brunswick minister of transportation, told truckers and local members of the New Brunswick Legislative Assembly that the government understands truckers’ concerns, but it cannot tell contractors what to do.

He said contractors would be encouraged to hire local truckers, but little could be done beyond the restrictions that now apply. Current regulations allow contractors to use three of their own trucks. For every additional company-owned truck used for on-road hauling, two independent truckers must be hired. There is no restriction on off-road hauling.

Lee said the problem would be worked out, but truckers are reminded that the two-thirds regulation was developed by the McKenna administration, and it is because of this government’s fiscal policies “that we have the money for any road construction projects at all.”

McKenna also said his government is pursuing federal participation in a billion-dollar proposal to change the Trans Canada Highway through New Brunswick from a two-lane to a four-lane highway. He said he has discussed that project with Ottawa, and Prime Minister Brian Mulroney has been assured the project would go ahead.