'Mistakes can happen': Human error to blame for le-aux-Tourtes bridge closure

Transport Minister Francois Bonnardel can't say when the le-aux-Tourtes bridge will reopen, but on Friday heacknowledged that human error is to blame for the structural issues that led to itsshutdown a day earlier.

Dozens of steel rods meant to reinforce the aging structure weredamaged during regular maintenance work.

One of those rods wassevered on April 30 and a lanewas closed as a result.

"Mistakes canhappen," the minister said. "I don't want to blame anyone, but we're working with humans."

Another rod wasdamaged on May 12, leading to a secondlane being closed. Inspections revealed thatabout 40 rods werein bad shape.

Followinga series of meetings held earlier this week, the Transport Ministry decided to close down the bridge.

The le-aux-Tourtes bridge is a vital link for commuters, connectingMontreal's West Island to Vaudreuil-Dorionvia Highway 40.In peak times, about87,000 vehicles use the bridge daily, including 10,000 trucks. The closure is causing traffic nightmare for drivers.

Bonnardelapologized forthe inconvenience "that they are experiencing since last night, and they will continue to experience for a few days."

He did not provide a more specific timeline.

"I remain an eternal optimist, and I can't imagine the bridge being closed long term," Bonnardel said. "[But] it is true that currently, we cannot give you a specific timeline."

For now, traffic is beingdiverted by Highways 20 and 30. Until the bridge reopens, the ministry iscancellingthe toll on Highway 30 and rides on the Vaudreuil-Hudson Exo line will be free.

"Closing the bridge was the only responsible decision that could be taken," the minister said. "What I can tell you right now is that work will be carried out 24/7."

The minister insists the bridge is safe, and there is no risk of it collapsing.

The structure, built in 1965, has had to undergo costly repairs in recent years. By 2018, the government had already injected $87 million to maintain the bridge and another $45 million was expected to be spent by 2028.

The Quebec government is planning to replace the bridge by 2027.

'Could have been avoided,' expertsays

It is "very rare" for human error to be blamed for damage to critical infrastructure, said Lan Lin, a professor of engineering at Concordia University who has extensive practical experience in the design of buildings and bridges.

There have been cases where human error has led to disaster, she said, citing the 2007 collapse of the I-35W Mississippi River bridge that killed 13 people and injured 145 others.

"I believe for this situation we should feel kind of lucky somehow because no one has been injured," said Lin.

Damaging load-bearing rods on the le-aux-Tourtes bridge is a seriousmistake, and closing the bridge fora careful investigation was the only option, she said.

"I believe it could have been avoided," said Lin, estimating it will take at least a month for crews to carry out inspections and repairs.

The le-aux-Tourtes bridge's design life may have been 75 years, Lin said, but with proper maintenance, such bridges can last 100 years.

"For any bridge, if it's well designed and well maintained, the service life will be beyond its design life," she said.