Rebuilding of Fredericton walking bridge postponed a year

Major repairs that will close the Bill Thorpe Walking Bridge in Fredericton for at least two months have been pushed back a year.

Upgrades were originally expected duringthe fall 2018 construction season.

Sean Lee, assistant director of engineering and operations for the City of Fredericton, told councillors this week that the work won't start until fall of 2019.

"Essentially, there will be no closures on the Bill Thorpe Walking Bridge until after Harvest Jazz and Blues," Lee said in an interview with CBC News. "At that point we'relooking at a full closure of the bridge."

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For years, the historic bridge has beenin need of major repairs.

The bridge was built in 1938 as a train bridge, replacing onebuilt in 1889 that was damaged by ice and flooding in March 1935, according to the city's website. The lastfreight train crossed in 1996, and the580-metre structure over the St. John River became a pedestrian bridge the next year.

Nearly $4 million is going to be spent renovating the bridge rebuilding two or three of the piers, replacing the wood ties underneath and installing new decking. Funding for the project will come from all three levels of government.

Still safe for users

Last summer,viewing platforms on the bridge were closed after the city's parks and trees division found rot on the railings. A loose railing on one of the lookout platforms was also discovered.

The platforms will remain closed and will not reopen this summer.

"The bridge remains safe for use," said Wayne Knorr, a spokesperson for the city. "Ongoing maintenance will continue on the current deck surface.

"The public will be advised well in advance of any closure."

The closure in 2019 is still expected to last eight to 12 weeks.

Knorr said detailed design is continuing on the bridge, which will focuson a modular base structure system that will minimize actual construction time and delays to bridge users.

Full design details will be presented later, he said.

Lee said no major work is planned for this summer, butthere might be instanceswhere boards need to be replaced, which usually happens every year.