Battleford council moves ahead with $56K bridge inspection plan

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Town council has accepted AE’s proposal to complete a bridge inspection in the coming months; this will include a visual inspection, drone imaging, and a scour assessment – totalling $56,363. 

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Battleford council moves ahead with $56K bridge inspection plan

4h ago

“This is something that we have been doing for the town pretty much every two years since about 2006. Just making sure we stay on top of understanding the two structures and their deterioration; they are over 120 years old now,” Meyers said. 

The visual inspection and drone imagery will document the current structure condition and identify any emerging issues. Through this, engineers can identify any damage from vehicle impact, ice in the river, or debris.  

During the scour assessment, Inland Marine Technologies Ltd will assess the North Truss Bridge. They will use a sonar system and water depth measurements to determine how fast flowing water is removing soil and rock from around the foundation of the bridge piers. 

“The scour assessment was previously done in 2024; scour was noted on three of the piers on the North Truss Bridge. Just making sure we are back out again is very important to make sure that the scour is not getting worse.” 

In June of 2018, AE helped the Town of Battleford develop a 10-year management plan for the two structures. Using this plan, the town secured funding and undertook significant rehabilitations in 2022 through 2023.  

“Despite these improvements, both structures continue to be classified as being in poor condition due to the remaining deficiencies of critical elements,” AE wrote in the assessment proposal.  

For deputy mayor Clay Lazar, the rating of 3.7 comes as quite a concern.  

“It’s something that you have to take seriously because those bridges are used quite frequently. When you hear a number like that, you have to pay attention.” 

He said that is why he asked the initial question, to fully understand the condition these bridges are under.  

“We just want to make sure that they’re safe. If we have to budget some money going forward, we’re going to because those bridges are a part of our community and we want to keep them as best as we can, but they have to be safe first,” Lazar said. 

The project is scheduled to begin this month with the scour assessment and run until September.  

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Alyssa.rudolph@pattisonmedia.com