UPDATE ON KALMO ROAD BRIDGE The photo below shows some city employees placing boards on the bridge on Kalmo Road on December 31, 2014 in order to provide a temporary fix to the problem that caused the closure of the bridge in the first place. The bridge will be perfectly safe for use with the boards that are being put in place. The weather conditions lately have allowed water to get trapped between the two layers of boards that were on the bridge and freeze in place. It has not been warm enough to allow the ice to thaw completely and allow the water to pass through the deck. Additionally, there has been mild weather and more rain that created the problem. If city staff were to remove all the boards they could improve the situation, but that work would not be done before school opens next Monday. The solution that city staff implemented will improve the situation, make the deck safer, and allow traffic to use the bridge immediately. Unfortunately, city staff expect the boards to get loose again as water and ice between the boards melts and drains through the deck, or evaporates. The plan is to have the bridge placed on a close watch, and attend to the situation as required until spring. This would mean making sure the boards are kept in place in the event they are lifted by the freezing conditions. Staff may need to do more work before the winter is over, but they should be able to plan that work for brief periods of time without disrupting school buses. An independent bridge expert will review the structure next week as a further precaution and to confirm the reports that have been submitted by city engineers. This bridge is scheduled to be replaced with a permanent structure in the next couple of years. Staff is therefore trying to minimize maintenance expenses and disruption to the area residents while ensuring at all times that the bridge is safe to pass. I repeat, staff will not compromise on safety, so residents can rest assured that if the city says the bridge is safe to use, it is safe to use. I am confident that the safety of people using the bridge is not at risk. City staff are taking steps to make sure the boards are kept in place despite the anticipated weather conditions that may create some of the boards to lift again. As Councillor for Ward 5, I am extremely grateful to City Staff for their fast and effective action in getting this road opened again with a minimal amount of inconvenience for residents.
Posted on: Thu, 01 Jan 2015 03:17:43 +0000
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