Sinking Harrison bridge poised for emergency repairs

Harrison Hot Springs needs another contractor to prevent a key bridge from sinking further into the river it crosses.

Last month, the village asked firms to submit proposals to fix McCombs Drive’s bridge across the Miami River. The crossing is one of only two vehicle connections over the river, which meanders through the centre of town. The short bridge connects Harrison’s two main residential neighbourhoods.

Its abutments, structures that support a bridge at both ends, are failing and need to be replaced. The existing abutments are being held together by steel cable and deteriorating wood piles, which has accelerated the sinking of the structure’s foundation.

In May 2024, Harrison hired a contractor to oversee the redesign, and environmental and Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) permitting process.

But heavy rain in September caused additional damages to the abutments, forcing staff and consultants to expedite the environmental permitting requirements under emergency measures.

The village is now looking for a contractor to calculate the costs and time it will take to reinforce the bridge. It hopes construction will begin by the end of the month. An Abbotsford-based engineering firm, GeoWest Engineering, has already completed tentative abutment designs for the village.

Ongoing deterioration of the abutments caused a break in a sanitary sewer main in April 2023.

Although it has since been temporarily replaced, the water and sewer mains will have to be relocated to make way for construction on the abutments. The utilities are currently located beneath the bridge deck.

The main structure of the bridge was rebuilt in 2011 and 2012 and does not require any extra repairs.

The bridge, currently only open to single lane traffic, will be closed when repairs begin. The length of the closure and alternative routes have not been finalized.

The project is backed by the province’s Growing Communities Fund.

Applications were open until Jan. 8.