Manitoba Infrastructure advises the PR 313 bridge over the Winnipeg River at Lac du Bonnet will be closed to all traffic for construction needs from Nov. 24 to Dec. 15.
It will be necessary to completely close the bridge for about three weeks to replace the navigation span in the middle of the bridge which allows boat traffic to cross underneath. The full closure is being done at this time of the year as it will have the least impact based on feedback from public and stakeholder sessions.
A detour route follows PTH 11, PR 211 and PR 520. Signage and variable message boards will be in place to direct traffic. After the full closure, traffic will continue to operate as a single lane controlled with traffic signals. Project completion is scheduled for December 2019.
The original bridge was constructed in 1908 as a wooden rail bridge for the Winnipeg Hydro Tramway. In 1931, it was replaced with a steel bridge which highway traffic was able to use. The bridge deck was later raised to accommodate rising water levels created by the construction of the McArthur Falls Generating Station. In 1963, the rail tracks were removed.
Additional details regarding the route detour and restriction can be found at www.manitoba511.ca.
