Four of six girders under Whoop-Up Drive bridge damaged: City of Lethbridge

CTV News

4 days ago

The City of Lethbridge says two-thirds of the Whoop-Up Drive bridge's girders have been damaged after a semi-truck hauling a large piece of construction machinery hit it and got stuck last week.
The City of Lethbridge says two-thirds of the Whoop-Up Drive bridge's girders have been damaged after a semi-truck hauling a large piece of construction machinery hit it and got stuck last week.
'Our engineering crews continue to monitor the girders on a daily basis,' said Joel Sanchez, director of infrastructure services with the City of Lethbridge.
'We actually have staff going to the site and doing the measures and inspecting the girders and that information (is) related and conveyed to the experts, which again I want to stress that they are some of the top experts in bridge maintenance in Canada.'
Sanchez says four of the six girders that support the roadway are damaged.
'Until we have all the tests and analysis that the engineers are completing, we won't have a final answer in terms of how much the damage is and how long it's going to take to repair,' he said.
The City of Lethbridge says two-thirds of the Whoop-Up Drive bridge's girders have been damaged after a semi-truck hauling a large piece of construction machinery hit it and got stuck last week.
The City of Lethbridge says two-thirds of the Whoop-Up Drive bridge's girders have been damaged after a semi-truck hauling a large piece of construction machinery hit it and got stuck last week.
On Aug. 6, a semi-truck hauling a scraper was driving to a construction site on the west side when it took a wrong turn into Indian Battle Park before striking the bridge and becoming stuck, according to Lethbridge police.
It took several hours for crews and engineers to remove the semi-truck, with metal supports being installed to ensure the bridge's stability.
As of Tuesday, one lane of westbound traffic on Whoop-Up Drive remains open, along with two eastbound lanes.
Two westbound lanes were closed as part of the bridge rehabilitation project prior to the incident.
Starting on Wednesday, the city says the Scenic Drive northbound to Whoop-Up westbound ramp will be closed to reduce traffic volume.
Drivers are being encouraged to use Highway 3.
'We're all getting to the west side, and it's frustrating that it's taking the time that it is, but everybody that is waiting there is going through the same thing, so we just ask that you be respectful,' said Mayor Blaine Hyggen.
Effective immediately, heavy load trucks, excluding standard pickups, are temporarily restricted from crossing westbound Whoop-Up Drive.
The city says the restriction has been made out of an abundance of caution.
Traffic lights along Scenic Drive have been co-ordinated for maximum efficiency, according to the city.
The city says the cost of repairs will be covered by insurance and other avenues.
'I don't see that being anything to do with taxation from our citizens,' said Hyggen.
Lethbridge police have charged the truck driver with failing to ascertain sufficient space for movement.
The city says the situation is fluid, and further road closures and traffic disruptions could happen.
'The lanes that are open still remain safe according to the advice that we have received from the experts,' said Sanchez.