For a two-week period in early May, the provincial government sought public feedback into proposals for what should be done to address the aging Louis Riel Bridge, which spans the Red River along Highway 305 in Ste. Agathe.
The results of that public feedback are now in, and they will be used by the government in determining the next step.
“The existing bridge was built in 1959 and serves as a vital link to Provincial Trunk Highway (PTH) 75 that helps connect people, businesses and agricultural land on both sides of the Red River,” says Ron Schuler, Minister of Infrastructure. “Our government has committed to investing in infrastructure across the province, and we wanted to hear from Manitobans to better understand the effects of this project and to gather feedback from the affected surrounding communities.”
A preliminary design study identified two potential courses of action to repair the deteriorating bridge.
The first option would require a bridge closure and see the replacement of the entire bridge deck and railings, wider lanes and sidewalks, and an increase in the load-carrying capacity of the bridge. This would require single-lane closures and approximately 16 weeks of full bridge closure over the construction period, which is estimated to take one and a half years.
The second option would require the replacement of the entire bridge deck, girders and railings, and an increase in the load-carrying capacity of the bridge, a wider total roadway width, and a new separated sidewalk. This would require approximately two years of construction work, with a minimum of one lane open at all times.
In his announcement, Minister Schuler says more than 200 responses were received during the public engagement process, of which 75 percent live in or near Ste. Agathe.
About half of the respondents, 51 percent, indicated the first alternative would have more of a negative impact on their travel patterns than the second alternative. Additionally, 68 percent were of the opinion that the wider roadway and separated sidewalk proposed in the second option would have a positive impact on pedestrian and cyclist safety.
The province is expected to make a final decision this upcoming winter, following additional stakeholder engagement.
