Extended Louise Bridge closure will prolong 'bumper to bumper' rush hour traffic, area residents say

Winnipeg's century-old Louise Bridge will stay closed for weeks longer than expected after an inspection uncovered more issues than originally predicted, something that will prolong commuting hassles for area residents.

The bridge, closed on May 23 as part of an annual inspection, was expected to reopen by the end of July. On Friday, the city said its inspection found corrosion that needed repairs, pushing back the reopening target to early September. 

"I think this is way too long," said Joseph Keith, who lives nearby. "From 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. it's impossible, you're bumper to bumper, it takes 40 minutes to get off of Regent on to Henderson Highway."

The bridge spanning the Red River connects Higgins Avenue in Point Douglas to Stadacona Street in Elmwood. The nearest alternate bridge is the Disraeli Bridge to the north.

Extending the closure means extending the period of inconvenience for Graham Fair, who lives down the street from the bridge and takes the bus to work.

"Getting to work's been a lot different. I just have to take the buses a little bit earlier just because it takes me longer to get to work and stuff like that," said Fair.

"I got a ride home last night from a friend of mine, and it takes him like an extra 20 minutes now to get back to his place after dropping me off."

City officials have gone back and forth over whether to replace or rebuild the aging Louise Bridge, first constructed in 1911.

In 2009, the city earmarked funds to expand the bridge to four lanes. That design was never finished, and consultations continued.

Last year, a report recommended doing repairs to extend the life of the bridge for 30 more years rather than replacing it with a new one in the short-term.

"I know people are concerned that, 'Oh, maybe this is another Arlington Bridge in the works, where it's going to be shut down completely,'" said Coun. Janice Lukes, chair of the public works department. 

"I'd say 'No, the good thing is we have design and funding set aside to do the rehabilitation.'"

Lukes said those bigger repairs, which will extend the life of the bridge for three decades, will begin in 2028.

She said it isn't feasible to demolish and rebuild the bridge from scratch right now due to more urgent infrastructure priorities, such as the estimated $3 billion in upgrades needed at the North End Sewage Treatment Plant.

Keith said he is in favour of upgrading as opposed to replacing the bridge and hopes it will be back open soon.

"There's a lot of life left in this bridge and it's a part of Winnipeg history," he said. "It should be restored as soon as possible for the public, for the public's safety and for the paramedics, firefighters and the police department."

Drivers can check for updates through the city lane closure map.

Louise Bridge will remain closed until September

1 day ago

Duration 2:03

The century-old Louise Bridge was closed to traffic in May for its annual inspection and maintenance. The City of Winnipeg expected to complete those repairs by the end of July, but on July 25 it said the bridge won't reopen until early September.