LUMSDEN — The closed Little Church bridge that straddles the RM of Longlaketon and the RM of Lumsden will finally be replaced after both councils approve purchasing a new bridge.
The bridge was installed in 1957 and was the only crossing between Highway 99 and an access road that leads to the main grid on the south side of the valley. The only crossing between highways 6 and 20 was closed in 2020 after a vehicle collided with the supports, rendering it useless.
The RMs look like they are on the hook for the full amount of the bridge after SGI told them the maximum insurance compensation was $200,000, and with depreciation because of age, it would leave them with next to nothing. Civil litigation against the driver has not been pursued, and SGI has an open investigation file.
The initial engineer's estimate to replace the bridge was around $700,000 because of the need for a new foundation. Still, when the tender was put out, the proposals were just under 1 million for a narrow wood construction bridge, which wouldn't have met their needs, and 1.6 million for a bridge that went well beyond the needs of the RMs. None of the proposals were accepted. Instead, the RMs have gone in a different direction, sourcing a used bridge from the pipeline/forestry sector whose main business isn't bridges. The RMs will now split the approximate $248,000 price tag for a used 60-foot by 16-foot Oilfield All Steel Portable Bridge from Northern Mat and Bridge.
Shawn Lawless is with Northern Mat and Bridge. He said the 60-foot bridge will fit into the existing space with a crane, and the existing foundation is still good. "This is coined a temporary bridge, but it's really not. It's meant to last. They are designed for forestry applications in Northern BC and Alberta. They go in, and they stay there for many, many years."
While the bridge is rated for heavy loads, the RM of Longlaketon Reeve Ray Wilde said they don't want road damage from semi traffic and expect the load limit to be set low, and the speed will be reduced after consultations are completed with the RM of Lumsden.
The RMs hope the bridge can be placed when the ground hardens up, and the temperature cools within the next two weeks. They initially hoped to have the bridge in this week but had to be postponed due to warmer weather.
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