Indian Sluice Bridge - Repair & Replacement (Letter from Province of Nova Scotia)

UPDATE (October 21, 2011):  Councilor Guy Surette has provided us with the following update regarding the Indian Sluice Bridge repair:  The Department of Transportation confirms that the allowed tonnage will be up tonight (October 21st) to the original weight -- 35 tonnes.

Today they will be finished using the scissor lift (vehicles cannot cross except designated time), but the foreman feels that by Wednesday at the latest the work will be completed. For those 3 days (Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday), they will allow traffic to pass without much wait time(approx. 5 mins).

 Dear Resident of Surettes and Morris Islands,

I am writing to update you on our plan to replace the Indian Sluice Bridge as well as to advise you of some repair work that will start this week. It’s all part of our commitment to maintain and improve our roads, bridges and highways in your area and across the province.

As you might be aware, we commissioned a recent inspection of the Indian Sluice Bridge. The inspection is now complete. The recommendation is to carry out some additional strengthening repairs so we can maintain the existing load capacity of the bridge until the bridge is replaced. The work is required to strengthen 4 pin connections. I’m pleased to advise you that we have a crew available and are able to proceed with the work right away.

The repairs will start on Wednesday, October 5th. To allow the work to happen within a short time frame, we will need to adjust the hours of the bridge. Effective, October 5th, the bridge will be closed Monday to Friday from 9 a.m to 12:30 pm and then again from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. The bridge will remain open on weekends and holiday Monday. Our goal is to complete the work as quickly as possible while minimizing any impact on you and your family as much as we can. We expect the work will be completed within two weeks. You will be advised if there is any change in the timeline.

It will also be necessary to temporarily reduce the allowable load limits on the bridge while the repairs are carried out. A sign will be posted at the bridge to advise residents of temporary reduced load capacity that is necessary while the bridge is being repaired. This will not affect standard passenger vehicles or school buses but will have an impact on large trucks or heavy vehicle configurations.

Please be assured if there is an emergency situation on the Islands during this period our crews will be notified and can clear the bridge within ten minutes to allow emergency vehicles to pass.

I also want to update you on our plan to replace the Indian Sluice Bridge. I’m pleased to advise you that we are able to change our original timeline to replace the bridge. Our 5 Year Highway Improvement Plan listed the work for 2013/14. We are now able to start construction next
summer with completion of the new structure in 2013/14. Advancing the project timeline will allow us to focus our efforts on replacing the bridge instead of ongoing maintenance.

If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to call Greg Newell, Area Manager at (902) 742-2416.