Sudburys Big Fix: Aging bridges exceeding lifespan

CBC News has learnedat least a dozen bridges in Greater Sudbury have now exceeded their lifespan and more are reaching that mark.

At 83 years of age, the Canadian Pacific Rail Subway located at College StreetandFroodRoad is showing unnerving signs of wear, including crumbling concrete, rusting steel and water stains.

According to 2012 bridge data obtained by CBC News, a typical bridge is expected to have a lifespan of 50 years.

The CPR Subway currently ranks the lowest on what is known as abridge condition index, a tool used by the province and municipalities as a way to help prioritize repair work.

Bridges with a score above 70 are in good shape, while those below 70 need repairs in the next five years.

Scores below 60 indicate the bridge should be fixed in the next construction season.

The CPR Subway earned a score of 34.5 in its last inspection, howeverits not first in line to be fixed.

Excellent shape

While the index is used to help prioritize repair work, it is not related directly to safety.

The citys roads director said the CPR Subway is structurally sound, even though passers-by might think otherwise.

Its basically esthetics, David Shelsted said.So it might not look very good, but it is in excellent shape.

With competing demands and tight budgets, Shelsted said the city must squeeze the full life out of bridges, unsightly or not.

The cost to rehabilitate the CPR Subway is pegged at $2.1 million.

However, it will likely cost much more to do the work, as Shelsted said the city wants to redesign the low, narrow structure.

He said itis expected to last until it is replaced, sometime within the decade.

Even though the bridge is used bytrains, Shelsted said the city will pay the bill to fix the bridge because the tracks were there before the road it crosses over.

More than a dozen bridges in the city fall into the "needs work now"category.

Data from bridge inspections for the city recommend about $6.4 million worth ofrepairs in 2013, and exceedthe $4.5 million that was budgeted.

For more on the condition of bridges and culverts in Sudbury, stay tuned to CBCs Morning North radio program this week for our special coverage called Sudburys Big Fix.