Water Under Troubled Bridges
As reported earlier, the Boslover bridge is down for the count. It will not be operational until at least the end of the boating season in 2010. The Port Severn Swing Bridge (#60) at lock 45 is out of use, as well. It will also remain closed to road traffic for the foreseeable future. There is some talk about moving it back to the road open position once the navigation season ends in the Trent Severn WaterWay but that is uncertain. Of course it would have to be moved back next spring, when the canal reopens. As it stands now, the village of Port Severn is severed except for the long way around.
The Port Severn Bridge has been operating for nearly a century. It was completed in 1915. Over the years, rust has weakened it to the point of being unsafe. Mike Jamieson, Acting Director of Canal Operations for the Trent Severn Waterway says the bridge can function in the closed position for vehicular crossing, but when it is swung open it becomes unsafe. “That’s why we (had to) swing the bridge open once and lock it in place. The Trent Severn WaterWay has a mandate for navigation clearance at 6.7 meters or 22 feet… when the swing bridge is closed, the clearance is only around 15 feet.”
Parks Canada apologizes for the inconvenience to travelers and residents. Repair work is expected to begin in December and the swing bridge will reopen in June 2010.