215751 - RFP 25-0015 - Alternate Route Study – 2nd Ave W and 6th Ave E Bridges

The City currently maintains two large scale wooden trestle bridges, each over 80 feet high and spanning more than 400 feet long. The 2nd Avenue West bridge (also know as the Morse Creek Bridge) was built in 1939, while the 6th Avenue East bridge (also know as the Hays Creek Bridge) was build in 1936. Given their age and condition, these bridges will be downgraded with significant weight restrictions within the next five years, if not sooner. These connections are vital for the community and emergency services, and are a key part of the city’s transportation infrastructure. As such, they undergo regular maintenance and refurbishment as required, with the 6th Avenue East bridge undergoing bridge repairs in 2024, and 2nd Avenue W bridge repairs planned for 2026. Understanding the cost implications of long-term maintenance of these aging bridges, as well as potential rerouting options, is important for infrastructure replacement planning and budget considerations. The project aims to complete a study which considers all options including decommissioning one or both bridges and constructing alternate routes for traffic, repairing or retrofitting one or both bridges for long-term continued use, and quantifying the social, environmental and financial implications of all options. The project should also include conceptual designs of the preferred option for both bridges.