The M.D. of Bonnyville council has approved funding for a $1.7 million bridge replacement on Township Road 623, east of Range Road 431, using the Bridge Reserve Fund.
The decision comes after the bridge was reduced to a three-tonne weight limit and given a one-year life expectancy, sparking public concerns.
Bryan Bespalko, General Manager of Infrastructure Services, highlighted that the bridge was one of 56 aging structures identified in a report requiring $90 million in replacements over the next decade. While council has explored closing some less critical bridges to reduce costs, residents strongly opposed this bridge’s closure due to its importance for local traffic, school bus routes, and farming activities.
Councillors Ben Fadeyiw and Mike Krywiak expressed concerns over highway traffic increases and the impact on residents if the bridge were closed. Public petitions with over 100 signatures supported the replacement.
“I can’t support the closing of this bridge,” said Coun. Krywiak. “There’s over 100 people who want this bridge to remain open. If it is closed, some of the people will have to use Highway 28. So we have to support the replacement of this bridge, there’s no doubt in my mind.”
Despite hope for a quick replacement, Bespalko noted that engineering standards and environmental regulations could delay the project. Deputy Reeve Skarsen suggested including the project in the 2026 budget but funding $130,000 for engineering in 2025.
“I’d be absolutely amazed if we could get a bridge rebuilt by Spring of 2025, If it so happens that you can get the engineering report done by fall, it could come back to council and there’s a reserve fund that could be used to build, but even it it was in your hands by fall you’d probably not get anything started before the next year anyways right? So I’m just being realistic,” he said.
Fadeyiw suggested exploring the possibility of a Strategic Transportation Infrastructure Program (STIP) grant, adding that the province should “open its purse strings a little more.”
Coun. Josh Crick also added in on provincial spending, stating, “There were comments about the province having a huge bridge deficit of around $3 billion. It’s interesting that Alberta is still sending equalization money east while our province doesn’t have enough to maintain its own bridges.”
Coun. Don Slipchuk recommended taking a more proactive approach to bridge decision-making in the future to keep the public informed and prevent closures.
