Debates of August 16, 2007 (day 11)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question this afternoon is for Mr. Menicoche, the Minister for Transportation. It regards a notification that went out about two weeks ago now, a fairly major restriction on the Kakisa River Bridge near the junction of Highways No. 1 and No. 3. Mr. Speaker, we voted just over $9 million over last year and this year to replace the bridge, but the department advised on August 3rd that a considerable restriction was being put on traffic. Truck traffic was being forced down to a five kilometre single-lane use of that bridge. According to a press release issued that day, this was to minimize vibrations that are a principal cause of stress-related impacts to the bridge. Mr. Speaker, this is a fairly severe restriction on traffic flow. Just what kind of damage was discovered that caused the department to impose this fairly major restriction on traffic on the Kakisa River Bridge?

Thank you, Mr. Braden. The honourable Minister responsible for Transportation, Mr. Menicoche.

Return To Question 138-15(6): Restrictions On Kakisa River Bridge

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The safety concerns around the Kakisa Bridge have been on the books for our department for some time. In fact, we are up to looking at replacing the bridge. We have been monitoring the bridge for the last year. Some of the international driving courses is the bridge collapse in Mississippi as well as the incident in Quebec last year that really heightened our Bridge Inspection Program, Mr. Speaker. That is what we are concentrating on. With that collapse in Mississippi, it made us take a second look at the Kakisa Bridge, because it is our oldest bridge, Mr. Speaker. It is 50 years old. We have had some concerns over the steel and concrete structures. So we are having a good look at them. We are just asking the travelling public’s patience as we continue to monitor and assess the bridge. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Supplementary, Mr. Braden.

Supplementary To Question 138-15(6): Restrictions On Kakisa River Bridge

Okay. I guess I am just trying to understand just what is the specific nature of the damage that was discovered. Are we just reacting to things that have gone wrong in other places? I appreciate that we want to take a surplus of caution, but just what is the exact nature of the problem? Just what is it, then, that we should be really concerned for a danger to the travelling public or complete failure or closure of the bridge? I think the public deserves to know just what is going on there, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Braden. Mr. Menicoche.

Further Return To Question 138-15(6): Restrictions On Kakisa River Bridge

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Some of the issues that we are having with the Kakisa Bridge right now is that it is a 50-year-old bridge. It is steel and concrete that was used on that bridge. It is exactly at that same age. We are having some stress and some fatigue issues with the steel and we are looking at it. The engineers are assessing it to see what kind of mitigation we can deal with the bridge and make it safer for our travelling public. Once again, as repairs are ongoing, we have asked that the road restriction be five kilometres an hour through the work zone. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Supplementary, Mr. Braden.

Supplementary To Question 138-15(6): Restrictions On Kakisa River Bridge

Mr. Speaker, the advisory that the department put out said that these measures will be in effect until the new bridge is in place. Now, I am anticipating that this is going to be some time potentially through the winter traffic months. I don’t need to remind the Minister that there is, for a very short period of time, an incredibly high volume of traffic that needs to use that bridge. Having to slow traffic to a crawl is not only an inconvenience, but I think that the degree of hazard grows in the winter months. Could the Minister advise, then, just when are we going to anticipate that either these restrictions can be lifted or the new bridge will be in place, Mr. Speaker?

Thank you, Mr. Braden. Mr. Menicoche.

Further Return To Question 138-15(6): Restrictions On Kakisa River Bridge

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Right now, we are continuing our assessment on the Kakisa Bridge. Restrictions will be in place until an engineering assessment says anything different. For now, Mr. Speaker, the bridge is old. We do have serious concerns over the stress and fatigue that is with the steel there and the restriction may even be in place up until next year when we start constructing a new bridge on the Kakisa River. Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Final supplementary, Mr. Braden.

Supplementary To Question 138-15(6): Restrictions On Kakisa River Bridge

Mr. Speaker, is the replacement project on time and on budget? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Braden. Mr. Menicoche.

Further Return To Question 138-15(6): Restrictions On Kakisa River Bridge

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. It is anticipated that the bridge will be constructed and in place for next fall. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Oral questions. The honourable Member from Kam Lake, Mr. Ramsay.

Yeah.

Heads up.