Arlington Bridge faces uncertain future

Winnipeg's 99-year-old Arlington Bridge could soon be just a memory.

City engineers say the iron bridge spanning the CPR yards in theDufferin neighbourhoodhas reached the end of its design life.

But before throwing in the towel and turning it into rubble, thecitywillspend $2 millionto consider its options.

Thoserange from demolishingthe bridge toa complete refurbishment, and what impact either decision would have on surrounding neighbourhoods and traffic routes.

The study will considerthe cost and benefits of enhancing the Salter Street bridge or expanding the McPhillips Street underpass to handle the extra traffic if the Arlington bridge was decommissioned.

CBC News spoke to some users ofthe bridgeand received the following comments:

• "It's a convenient way to get across."
• "Maybe they should use that$2 million on something else instead of on a bridge. They could help out the people with that instead."
• Keep it. It's cool, it's like the best bridge in Winnipeg."

A city spokesman saida structural examinations has deemed the bridgesafe for now, as itgets only a fraction of the traffic other bridges handle.

There is no word on when the report will be completed.