Prince Rupert reopened the 2nd Avenue Bridge over the weekend after safety concerns forced the city to rethink a detour that was carrying much more traffic than expected. The bridge, which is the only road link for the neighbourhood around Second Avenue West, Atlin Avenue, and Graham Avenue, had been closed since June 15 for repairs.
The trouble started on June 19, when far more vehicles than anticipated began using the CN Rail service road alternate route. City officials said the volume raised safety worries, prompting them to work with CN on adding safety measures while rushing to reopen the bridge as a temporary fix by June 20.
“In the interim, the bridge has been reopened at minimum for the weekend to two way traffic,” the city said in a June 20 update, while cautioning that the situation is still fluid. A permanent rerouting plan is being hammered out with CN.
While drivers got their crossing back for the moment, people on foot or bike are being told to stick to the Moresby trail system for now. The city says it has added nighttime security and lighting along the trail to make the detour safer around the clock.
Residents with mobility issues can get help from the city. Anyone needing alternative transportation can contact City Hall at (250) 627-0934 or email [email protected] to ask about vouchers.
The bridge repairs are a $2.3 million job handled by North Vancouver-based Surespan Construction, with the work including a full replacement of the pedestrian walkway and structural fixes. The city has stressed that the bridge will need longer-term alternative routing in the future because of its age, but for now the focus is on getting through the current construction safely.
For the latest updates, residents can check the City of Prince Rupert’s website.
