N.W.T.'s Deh Cho bridge fully reopened after $7M in repairs
Broken cable discovered in August 2023 prompted reduction of bridge traffic to 1 lane
The N.W.T.'s Deh Cho bridge is now fully back in service, 18 months after a broken cable prompted significant repair work and the closure of one lane to traffic.
In a news release on Tuesday, the territory's Department of Infrastructure said the repair work is now complete and the bridge is again open to two-lane traffic with no other restrictions.
The department became aware in August 2023 of a broken cable on the kilometre-long bridge that spans the Mackenzie River near Fort Providence.
As a result, the department reduced bridge traffic to one lane, installed temporary lights, reduced the speed limit and required commercial vehicles to maintain a certain amount of spacing on the bridge.
An investigation revealed the cable broke because it was anchored to the bridge with a faulty metal adjustment bar. Officials said last year the bar appeared to have a "metallurgical defect that caused it to fail."
Since then, the department has fixed that piece, along with the remaining 24 pieces cast from the same metal. Other work included repairing some guardrails and replacing lighting.
Infrastructure Minister Caroline Wawzonek said last fall that the repair work — originally slated to be done last year — was expected to cost about $7 million.