Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Highways closed the old Highway 35 bridge in Nipawin Wednesday due to its deteriorating condition. 

“It’s definitely been approaching the end of its service life for some time,” said Patrick Book, a spokesperson for the ministry. 

The bridge was built in 1931 and was originally meant to close down after the construction of a replacement bridge on Highway 55 located five kilometres away.

A third-party inspection done late last week revealed that one of the structures for the roadway approach spans showed signs of overloading. The inspector recommended that the bridge be immediately closed. More than 600 vehicles use the bridge every day, the ministry said. 

“I was really shocked and upset when I heard because it’s been in this community for so many years,” said Shirley Phillips, who lives in Nipawin, and is a member of the town’s historical society.

Phillips said many people live on the west side of the bridge and depend on it to cross the river, but will now have to take a detour. 

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