Manitoba Infrastructure advises the height of the existing PR 313 bridge over the Winnipeg River at Lac du Bonnet will be raised by three feet and create a navigational clearance of 15 ft. It will also be widened to accommodate a new sidewalk.
With changes in design, the construction schedule has been extended to 2018.
The bridge will remain open as it is now with one lane and traffic control signals for most of the construction project. It will be necessary to completely close the bridge for about three weeks to install the navigation span in the middle of the bridge to accommodate taller vessels. The full closure will be scheduled for the winter season as it will have the least impact based on stakeholder feedback.
The bridge was constructed in 1908 as a wooden rail bridge for the Winnipeg Hydro Tramway. In 1931 it was replaced with a steel bridge and highway traffic was able to use the bridge as well as the railway. The bridge deck was raised to accommodate rising water levels created by the McArthur Falls Generating Station. In 1963, the rail tracks were removed.
