Damaged expansion joint cause of Hwy 40 bridge restrictions
A car falling victim to a damaged expansion joint was the cause of traffic tangles on the bridge crossing the Battle River along Highway 40 Thursday night.
The Executive Director of Communications with the Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure Doug Wakabayashi said at least one car was damaged from passing over the failed joint. RCMP arrived shortly after and closed the bridge for several hours as they investigated. It was reopened late Thursday but was limited to one lane of travel as crews examined the damage.
An expansion joint is not load bearing. It helps prevent cracking in the deck of the bridge by allowing it to expand in the summer and contract in the winter as temperatures fluctuate.
Wakabayashi said the ministry is now in the process of making arrangements to perform a temporary repair, but the joint will have to be replaced.