Work on Pierre Delorme bridge ahead of schedule

Damaged sections of the Pierre Delorme Bridge in St. Adolphe have been removed ahead of schedule.

The bridge, which crosses the Red River at Highway 210 west of St. Adolphe, was closed Aug. 21 after an inspection revealed a pier supporting the structure started to slip. Two other piers were also identified as unstable.

The Manitoba government had initially considered allowing the bridge to collapse into the river under its own weight. Officials believed its total failure would come as early as the following day, Aug. 22, but the rate of slippage slowed.

The province then thought about using explosives to aid the collapse but decided on Aug. 27 that it could remove and replace the damaged portions and save the structure.

That process was expected to take several weeks but the province issued a news release on Friday, saying the removal work is done and "crews were able to minimize damage to the remaining sections of the structure during this process.

"Excavators were used and no explosive charges were used," the release stated.

Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation will conduct a full assessment of the bridge and the riverbank to determine whether the bridge can indeed be salvaged or if it requires complete replacement.

The news release sayswhile the province considers it a priority to reopen the bridge,it istoo early to determine when that will occur.

In the meantime, concrete barriers and detour signs will remain in place so motorists are cannotaccess the bridge. Security has also been stationed there around the clock.

Motorists, boaters and the general public are reminded not to travel on, walk on or boat under the bridge at any time, due to significant safety issues.

The bridge normallyconnects two major north-south routes,Highways 59 and 75.

Another bridge closure

It's not the only bridge in the area causing residents grief.

The Manitoba Floodway Authority also closed the Courchaine Road bridge, which connects St. Mary's Road to Turnbull Drive, as of Friday. It is not scheduled to reopen until March 31, 2010.

The bridge doubles as the gate for the floodway, which the Floodway Authority says is in need of hydraulic improvements.

'I think it'll have a significant impact on people's commute time [and] their level of patience while driving.' resident Jeff Anderson

To minimize inconvenience, starting in November the Floodway Authority will allow the bridge to be reopened periodically, when the repair work permits it.

The Perimeter Highway is the closest alternative route for motorists.

St. Adolphe resident Jeff Anderson said it's poor planning to close both spans at the same time. He said cars routinely are lined up on St. Mary's Road every morning, waiting to get across the Courchaine Road Bridge.

For drivers going to areas in Winnipeg's west end, it's the fastest route, he said.

"I think it'll have a significant impact on people's commute time [and] their level of patience while driving," he said.

Ronuk Modha from the Floodway Authority said the work that needs to done involves sections built in the 1960s.

"They have not been replaced since then, so it is something that is critical," he said, adding the work can only be done during the winter months.