Salmonier Line motorists to cross bridge diversion later this year

By Mark Squibb

Holyrood councillor Steve Winsor expects the North Arm River bridge will be replaced later this summer or early fall.

The provincial government committed to replacing the Salmonier Line bridge back in December.
“It’s in a severe state of deterioration, and back in 2022, people might remember, a traffic load restriction was implemented on that bridge following a site visit that first identified major deterioration,” said Winsor.
As North Arm River is a salmon river, Winsor said the bridge is being designed in consultation with the Department of Fisheries.

Winsor said the current bridge will be demolished and a new one constructed. A temporary bypass will be established.

“There’s going to be a diversion upstream from the existing bridge, and the driving service on approach will be a temporary bridge two-lanes wide with an approximate length, at the diversion, of 496 metres,” said Winsor.

Engineers are already working on the blueprints and design specifications.

“By the time the tenders are out and responded to, evaluated, and awarded, we probably won’t see construction until late summer, early fall,” said Winsor.