M.D. of Taber council closes Enchant-area bridge deck

Nikki Jamieson
Vauxhall Advance
njamieson@tabertimes.com

During their regular March 22 meeting, the Municipal District of Taber council decided to close a bridge near Enchant.

In a memo from administration, council was advised that the bridge in question, on an undeveloped road allowance on Range Road 18-0, had, in past inspections, received a ‘2 rating’ due to a loss of material at each end of the bridge due to no backwall/wingwall. There is an estimated cost of $730,000 to replace the concrete span structure, and is a good candidate for one-time funding in order to remove it.

“It’s hit its life expectancy, according to our bridge inspection standards, and should not be used by vehicular traffic anymore,” said Jeremy Wickson, director of public works for the M.D. “It can still be used by pedestrian traffic, but as far as vehicles go (they can’t).”

Currently, not much vehicle traffic goes over the bridge, and its removal would not affect vehicle traffic, as there is another bridge coming over from Range Road 18-1, so access to the area is not restricted. The recommendation is to barricade the bridge from vehicle traffic until funding is secured to either eliminate or put in a more cost-effective structure. Pedestrians can still use the bridge in the meantime.

Council passed a motion to barricade the bridge until funding can be found.

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