SASKATOON - The City of Saskatoon says the University Bridge is closed due to an apparent encampment fire under the bridge. Traffic detours are in place and the bridge will remain closed, at least until a scheduled inspection is completed.
City engineers were on scene overnight Sunday/Monday and an initial inspection determined there were no structural concerns with the bridge, said the city Monday morning. Another inspection is scheduled for Wednesday, said the city in an afternoon media release.
At 9:57 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 19, the Saskatoon Fire Department received a report of a fire underneath the University Bridge closest to the east riverbank. When SFD crews arrived they identified smoke and flames coming from underneath the University Bridge.
As a result of the fire, heat melted the 400 mm sanitary sewer line under the bridge. This led to a break in the sewer line and sewage was leaking onto the riverbank. The Water Security Agency was notified.
Water and Wastewater crews have set up a temporary 500 metre bypass for the sewer line and did modelling to ensure there is enough capacity so residents don’t experience sewer backups, stated the media releases.
Although the bridge is closed, the south side pedestrian walkway will be open and accessible from the top. The Meewasin trail underneath the bridge on the east side of the river will remain closed due to the sewage leak.
Saskatoon Transit will be affected by the detours. Transit service alerts and real-time bus information are available on third-party apps like Transit and Google Maps Transit on desktop.
