PEI

More damaged light poles found on Confederation Bridge

More light poles have to be replaced on the Confederation Bridge.

11 light poles snapped off on Confederation Bridge during storm and another 20 found with damage

Eleven light poles on the Confederation Bridge were snapped off in high winds during the Island Day storm in February. (Gail Harding/CBC)

More light poles have to be replaced on the Confederation Bridge. 

Strait Crossing officials said work continues to replace some light poles on the Confederation Bridge that snapped off during high winds associated with the Islander Day storm.

A total of eleven poles snapped off and fell into the Northumberland  Strait. 

Bridge officials said a thorough inspection of all 310 poles later revealed a total of 20 more with problems

The highest wind gust during the storm was 158 km/h and the bridge was closed for almost 40 hours, the longest closure since it opened in 1997. 

The general manger of the Confederation Bridge, Michel Le Chasseur said they are looking for the reason why the poles broke or were damaged.  

"We want to find out what is the cause of this situation," said Le Chasseur. " Was it strictly the event or is there something else that we should know? We hired professionals to take a very close look at all of this," said  Le Chasseur. 

The poles are being analyzed in a laboratory to determine the cause of the breaks and damage.

Le Chasseur said it will take time to find out why it happened but he hopes to have some answers in a few weeks. 

In the meantime, the affected light poles have been removed and are being replaced. 

Work began this week.

Strait Crossing officials note they are still waiting for some of the light fixtures to arrive from the manufacturer.