The Coteau Street East Bridge, which connects South Hill with the former Church of God campus and Wakamow Valley, has deteriorated past even the point of pedestrian use and will be demolished in 2024 per the recommendation of city engineering services.
Bevan Harlton, director of operations for the City of Moose Jaw, tabled a report at the regular meeting of city council on Oct. 23 that recommended the complete closure of the bridge by Dec. 1, 2023.
"This report is an update on the Coteau Street East Bridge and to confirm its permanent closure to both vehicle and pedestrian traffic on Dec. 1 of this year, barring any need to close it sooner," Harlton told council. "From there, we will continue to work with (Canadian National Railway) to enter into a 50/50 cost share agreement for demolition, and then we will proceed to demolition in 2024."
The bridge, first built in 1913, was permanently closed to vehicle traffic in May 2023. The historic structure has been the subject of many lobbying efforts by residents, with arguments being made both for a complete refurbishment or, failing that, sufficient repairs to enable the bridge to continue supporting pedestrian traffic.
However, the city has responded that refurbishment would cost at least $1 million, and almost certainly more, and in 2021 council approved the bridge's demolition by 2027 at the latest.
Harlton told council that further deterioration of the stringer bearings — the concrete shelf on which the longitudinal stringer beams rest — is making the bridge unsafe. The combined average of the six stringer caps, or plates, that are unsupported by concrete is approaching 50 per cent.
The report was prepared for city council by engineers from Associated Engineering.
Council accepted Harlton's recommendations unanimously. Demolition is expected to cost $190,000, but a revised estimate of that cost will be submitted at the 2024 budget.
"We had a delegation here last year from a number of residents who wanted to keep the bridge open," Mayor Clive Tolley said during council's consideration of the report.
"We did our best, we kept it open as long as possible. We kept it open for pedestrian use throughout the summer months. This latest report basically says that it's unsafe to continue, so I'm reluctantly in agreement with having the bridge removed."
Coun. Heather Eby, while agreeing with the decision, told her fellow council members that they should take a lesson from the Coteau Street East Bridge and make sure the city's other bridges, such as the Fourth Avenue Thunderbird Viaduct, receive thorough preventative maintenance.
"It's a sad day when we have to demolish something in our city," Councillor Crystal Froese said.
Froese noted how important heritage structures are to the residents of Moose Jaw and how often she hears that preserving such structures is important.
"This bridge has been utilized for over 100 years. ... I think we've done the best we can with this asset, and 100 years is definitely a long, long life for anything.
"I know the residents around that area will hopefully understand that our city has done everything it can to keep this bridge, but when it's not safe, it's not safe. ... We just do not have the funds to repair this."
