Effective Wednesday, June 16, the Old Nipawin Bridge on Highway 35 will be shut down to traffic.
According to the Minister of Highways, Fred Bradshaw, an independant appraiser came to assess the bridge and decided that the safety concerns were cause to close the bridge to traffic. Bradshaw said it was due to the plates on the approaches buckling.
He said while the bridge is extremely old, they knew the time would come to shut the bridge down, but didn’t expect it to come this quick.
“I think it caught all of us by surprise when they came back and said they wanted it closed right away,” Bradshaw told northeastNOW. “They were really worried about the safety concerns on it.”
Bradshaw said that while it’s unfortunate for the residents on the west side of the river, the newer bridge on Highway 55 just recently got some updates and is just seven kilometres from the old bridge. The new bridge was built in 1974.
The Old Nipawin Bridge was built in 1931 and might have a bit of nostalgic factor for those in the area. Bradshaw, who is the Carrot River Valley MLA, and is originally from Arborfield said that his father was at the opening of the Old Nipawin Bridge.
“That was a big deal, and people came from all over,” he said. “Even from Arborfield to Nipawin was quite the trip in those days, and that’s where my dad was from. He says he remembers the opening, it was something that was quite spectacular at the time.”
There’s no word yet on if the bridge will ever re-open to traffic after repairs are done. Bradshaw said they will look at options and discuss with the stakeholders.
The railway portion of the bridge remains active.
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mat.barrett@pattisonmedia.com
On Twitter: @matbarrett6
