Kates Bridge replacement and reopening still a ways off

By Christy Marsters

THE HANTS JOURNAL

NovaNewsNow.com

Department of Transportation (DOT) officials now indicate it could be another year before Kates Bridge on Tannery Road is fully replaced and reopened for public uses.

The structure, which first closed to the public around April of 2008, was initially predicted to be inaccessible for a few weeks. However, since it was deemed unsafe to cross well over a year ago, weeks turned into months and those months started adding up. By 2010, two years will have passed.

Transportation area manager Fred Whynot, who originally anticipated Kates Bridge to be reopened around April or May of 2009, said he wasn’t completely sure of the reasons for the delay in construction this year. “It is unfortunate this happened,” Whynot said, ”and, I hope it – Kates Bridge – will get replacement in the near future.”

Whynot also noted that there were two or three other bridges in other counties ahead Kates Bridge in terms of priority within the Western District – covering Kings County to Yarmouth – as of Oct. 3, 2008. “(Priority and timing to replace a bridge) really depends on the structure,” he added.

Communications adviser Patricia Jreige, with the N.S. Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal, said there is a wait on environmental approval to go forward with the total reconstruction of Kates Bridge. The bridge is approaching the end of its life span and is planned to be replaced, she said. “It is expected to be finished by next year.”

The lifespan of each bridge and priorities for bridge replacement typically differ but all are inspected annually at minimum to guarantee safety, Jreige added. “We would like to thank people for patience while we get (Kates Bridge) done,” she said.