Overlanders Bridge ‘clunkety clunks’ will get a temporary fix

NEWS — The Overlanders bridge won’t get a new deck until 2015, a year later than planned. City council today approved a plan to put off the work because of issues around the old raised sidewalk on the west side, as earlier reported by The Armchair Mayor.

Projects manager Kristen Meersman said the sidewalk is deteriorating and could be repaired or replaced, but even if it’s removed it could cost a million dollars.

Putting the deck replacement off for a year will allow time to figure out the best option, she said.

She said the only con to delaying the work is additional maintenance costs, but the deck surface can be temporarily repaired to fix current roughness. “It’s not fun to drive over,” she admitted.

In answer to a question from Coun. Ken Christian about “the old clunky clunk” currently experienced by drivers crossing the bridge, Meersman said some of the expansion joints can be removed during the temporary repairs.

She said smoothing out the wheel ruts can probably be done temporarily for about $25,000.

Coun. Tina Lang said the expansion joints aren’t all bad news — they slow people down, she said.

“Could there be surprises once you get into it?” asked Coun. Arjun Singh about the deck replacement.

Meersman said the infra-red scan done on the bridge is likely to have picked up the majority of problems.

Coun. Donovan Cavers wanted to know if the multi-use crossing on the east side can be upgraded as well because it’s rough for bicycles. Corporate services director David Duckworth said that would require an addition to the budget.