A pedestrian ignores a sign alerting people that access to the pedestrian walkway on the Canadian Pacific Railway train bridge south of the downtown core is closed for an inspection - Date unknown Clifford Skarstedt.

22 November 2011

CP Rail Bridge Pedestrian Walkway to be Closed for at Least a Year

Peterborough Ontario - One of the city's popular shortcuts to East City will be closed for at least a year while city staff consider an emergency dismantling to save the pedestrian walkway alongside the Canadian Pacific Railway bridge from complete collapse.
 
"It really is going to be an inconvenience. It's a very popular bridge, we understand that, but we really don't have much more choice," utility services director Wayne Jackson said.
 
Public works shut down the walkway, which is attached to the CPR bridge that crosses the Otonabee River behind the Holiday Inn, after receiving two safety complaints early last week.
 
A structural engineer viewed the site and found several failings in the steel beams that support the walkway and attach to the CPR bridge.
 
"We can't reopen it. What we are now trying to do is get some forces together to dismantle it as best we can. The most prudent thing to do is to at least take the concrete slabs off. That way we'll be taking the weight off," said city utilities services director Wayne Jackson.
 
The engineer recommended removing portions of the concrete footpath to prevent failings of additional beams, Jackson explained.
 
A crane supported on a floating barge in the river will likely be needed to remove the concrete, Jackson said.
 
Under the city's purchasing bylaw, Jackson has the authority to access emergency spending to begin the process.
 
"If we have an emergency, and I would consider this an emergency, I have the ability to sole-source and undertake what works I feel necessary to relieve the emergency," he said.
 
The city has set aside $550,000 in the 2012 budget to plan and construct a new pedestrian footpath, but given the need to consult CPR in any decision concerning the bridge, Jackson said a completed walkway is not something he expects within the next year.
 
"I can't see it happening in less than a year," he said.
 
The city has put $500,000 aside in the 2013 budget as well with plans to eventually connect the new footpath with trail systems leading to Rogers Cove.
 
Galen Eagle.