Bridge concerns detours trucks through Portage

PORTAGE LA PRAIRIE, Man. — All east and westbound traffic on the Trans-Canada has been rerouted through the town of Portage due to the closing of a railroad overpass the government has deemed to be unsafe.

According to the Winnipeg Free Press, the bridge is described in a report to be too severely damaged to be rebuilt and needs to be replaced.

Transportation and Government Services Minister Scott Smith told the newspaper a new bridge could be built within a year.

Smith said he expects an engineering consultant’s report will approve reopening the overpass temporarily for cars and light trucks only. He hopes the span, which carries traffic over the main CN rail line, can be reopened to those vehicles by the weekend.

However, once engineering plans are completed, the old overpass will be demolished.

Bob Dolyniuk, general manager of the Manitoba Trucking Association told the Free Press his members aren’t pleased with the detour through Portage, although he admits there are no other viable alternative routes.

Portage la Prairie Mayor Ian MacKenzie says the detour also means Portage will postpone a major revitalization project on Saskatchewan Ave.

— from the Winnipeg Free Press