Fredericton's Bill Thorpe Walking Bridge to undergo major repairs

Fredericton bridge to undergo major repairs Documents reveal the Fredericton Bill Thorpe Walking Bridge will soon need some major repairs. CTV’s Laura Brown with more.

One of Fredericton’s most photographed landmarks will be in need of some serious repairs, according to documents obtained by CTV News.

The Bill Thorpe Walking Bridge is a 78-year-old structure that links the south and north sides of the city. Once a train bridge, it was retrofitted in the 90s to allow pedestrians and cyclists to cross the St. John River.

But documents obtained through a Right to Information request show that the City of Fredericton and the Province of New Brunswick have been studying the condition of the bridge since the summer of 2015.

They’ve realized it will need some serious work in the future.

“The wood decking and the understructure and all the wood of the decking needs to be repaired. It’s safe right now, but without a major overhaul in the next four or five years we could get in trouble,” said Mayor Mike O’Brien.

The documents show that two piers have advanced concrete deterioration and the wood ties are rotting.

O’Brien believes the wood deck will have to be replaced, likely in 2018.

Right now, the city is looking into several options for the deck that could change the look of the landmark.

Officials are considering asphalt pavement on a steel deck, pre-stressed concrete panels, pressure treated wood panels, Fiberglass panels or the original design of replacing with new railroad ties and top surface of individual treated wood boards.

Replacing the wood with concrete or asphalt doesn’t sit well with some bridge users.

“I love the wood. I love the workmanship on it and everything. I hope they don’t ever change it,” said Joan McFarland.

“It feels New Brunswick, it’s an old bridge, it’s classic. And also, our main export is lumber, so I think it would make sense to keep it that way,” said Haley Marion Mclean.

O’Brien understands those feelings, but says the city and province have to consider the feasibility of the wood.

Wood not only has the highest maintenance cost, it also has to be replaced more often than concrete or fiberglass.

“We didn’t expect, anticipate a year or two ago that we would have to spend three or $4 million, but now that we know we’re starting to zero in on option. It’s something we can target and budget,” he said.

“It may mean that in the next year or two that some other projects that we may wanted to have gotten done get postponed a year or two.”

The bridge is owned by the province and leased by the city. The province has agreed to share the cost when things are finalized.

O’Brien is hoping all levels of government help when the time comes.

With files from CTV Atlantic’s Laura Brown.