Contract awarded to tear down Ross River bridge

Klondike Welding has been awarded the contract to demolish Yukon's historic Ross River suspension footbridge.

The company's bid of $171,000 was the lowest of 14. The highest bid was nearly $2 million from a construction company in Prince George, B.C.

The bridge was built across the Pelly River in 1942. At 319 metres long from anchorage to anchorage, with the bridge deck spanning 192 metres, it is one of the longest suspension footbridges in North America.

It's expected the bridge will be demolished sometime later this month. The Department of Community Services says it must first examine Klondike Welding's work plan for the job.