Miles Canyon bridge in Whitehorse not safe, needs repairs

Whitehorse's Miles Canyon suspension bridge needs major repairs and will remain closed until at least spring, the Yukon government says.

The bridge wasfirstclosed in October after a safety inspection, but the government could not say at the time whether there were specific problems or concerns with the bridge.

Officials are now offering details from a subsequent inspection.

"We found some decaying wood," saidJennifer MacGillivray, director of infrastructure development with the Yukon government.

Inspectors found many of the bridge's wooden beams in poor shape. They saidheavy paint on the timber likely trapped in moisture, accelerating decay. The problem threatens the entire structure's ability to bear weight.

The bridge, which provides access to a network of trails,istherefore off-limitsuntil it's fixed.

"We understandthe importance of this bridge to the tourists and the local community," MacGillivray said.

"It's a big priority for us.We're going to undertake the repairs as soon as we can."

The government expects most of the wood on the bridge will likely be replaced, but it's notclear yet how much that might cost. A tender for the work will go out in the new year.

Inspectors found that other elements of the bridge including the deck, suspension cables and abutment towers are in decent shape.