BONNYVILLE – The MD of Bonnyville has agreed to replace a bridge located on Township Road 623, east of Range Road 431. The bridge had been reduced to a three-tonne weight limit with a life expectancy of one year.
The MD of Bonnyville received correspondence from the public, voicing concerns about the weight limit and expressing a need to replace the bridge.
Council has approved a motion to fund the $1.7 million bridge replacement from the Bridge Reserve Fund.
Bryan Bespalko, general manager of Infrastructure Services, explained that the MD had previously received a bridge status report, that had outlined the state of 56 bridges that are due for replacement in the next 10 years.
“The report highlighted the status and functionality of the bridge. It also recommended what bridges should remain open and ones that were less critical for municipal operations,” said Bespalko.
Council had asked administration to investigate the possibility of closing some bridges in order to reduce the amount of money required to replace the aging bridges. Bespalko explained that over the next 10 years the MD is looking at $90 million in bridge replacements.
In response to the bridge’s weight restriction and the potential for closure, residents expressed their concern to administration.
Reeve Barry Kalinski noted that there are many bridges within the MD of Bonnyville that would cause less disruption if closed, and that this bridge is a unique situation.
Coun. Ben Fadeyiw raised concerns about the implications of the bridge closure for bus routes, and how it would cause an increase in highway traffic - often right around rush hour.
With all the signatures received from residents, Fadeyiw shared his support for the replacement of the bridge.
Coun. Mike Krywiak commented on the outcry from the public, and mirrored Fadeyiw’s concerns on highway traffic.
“I can’t support the closing of this bridge. There's over 100 people who want this bridge to remain open, and if it is closed some of the people will have to use Highway 28 . . . so we have to support the replacement of this bridge - there's no doubt in my mind,” said Krywiak
Deputy Reeve Darcy Skarsen inquired into the MD’s in-house capabilities of repairing bridges, and Bespalko explained that, outside of minor repairs, the MD does not have the engineering capabilities to replace even culvert bridges.
Bespalko cited not only rigorous engineering standards, but environmental standards such as fisheries regulations.
Coun. Don Slipchuk commented that the traffic report for the bridge was done in the spring, which means it would not reflect the usage it got during the summer when farmers and tourists are using it, along with industry activity increases.
Fadeyiw and Swigart expressed their desire to have the bridge repaired sooner rather than later, in order to avoid the inflation of building costs.
Krywiak added that it should be replaced before it has to be closed, in order to keep it accessible to area farmers when they need it in the spring, though Bespalko commented that the replacement is dependent on several factors, including the engineering process, and that there is no guarantee on its completion date.
Skarsen spoke about the sometimes-long timeline on projects such as these, and suggested they add it to the 2026 budget deliberations and proceed to fund the $130,000 engineering costs from the 2025 capital budget.
“I'd be absolutely amazed if we could get a bridge rebuilt by Spring of 2025. If it so happens that you can get the engineering report done by fall, it could come back to council and there's a reserve fund that could be used to build, but even if it was in your hands by fall you’d probably not get anything started before the next year anyways right? So I'm just being realistic,” said Skarsen.
Fadeyiw commented on the possibility of a Strategic Transportation Infrastructure Program (STIP) grant and felt that the province needs to “open it’s purse strings a little more.”
Coun. Josh Crick made an additional comment about provincial spending.
“There were also comments made here about the province having a huge bridge deficit of around $3 billion. It's interesting that Alberta is still sending equalization money east in Canada and our province doesn't have enough money to take care of our own bridges,” said Crick.
Slipchuk suggested a more proactive approach to decision-making around bridges in the future, to keep the public informed and avoid closures.
