The Deh Cho Bridge is slated for significant repairs during summer 2024 following the discovery of a broken cable last year.
The replacement of all 24 metal adjustment bars connecting the bridge’s cables to their anchors will be among the items addressed in the Department of Infrastructure’s work plan.
“The repairs are scheduled to take place in the summer of 2024, once replacement parts have been fabricated and when weather conditions will be optimal for this work. Any operational impacts to bridge traffic will be communicated publicly prior to the work taking place,” said Darren Campbell, spokesperson with the department.
The defect was first identified on Aug. 8, 2023, and subsequent inspections ruled out vandalism or a collision as contributing factors. Instead, a metallurgical defect in one of the adjustment bars was deemed responsible for the failure. As a safety measure, the bridge has been operating under restricted conditions, including reduced speed limits, one-lane traffic, and spaced commercial vehicle crossings.
Despite no defects being found in the remaining cables and hardware, the GNWT is proceeding with the replacement of all adjustment bars from the same fabrication batch as a precautionary measure.
The department has yet to finalize the costs associated with the supply, delivery and construction work on the span over the Mackenzie River, near Fort Providence.
Meanwhile, traffic continues to flow across the Deh Cho Bridge, with an average of 316 vehicles per day in December 2023, thanks to the implementation of timed traffic lights.