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Damage to highway bridge slows traffic

A local driver had a few questions to answer after a machine collided with the Highway 2 bridge over Highway 53.
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A CAT excavator’s arm collided with the Highway 2 bridge over Highway 53 Jan. 31

A local driver hauling a CAT excavator on a flatbed trailer had a few questions to answer after the machine collided with the Highway 2 bridge over Highway 53.

The incident occurred Jan. 31 after police heard reports that the operator’s CAT was eastbound on Highway 53 and had collided with the girders of the bridge on Highway 2.

Police say the excavator boom arm struck the under portion of the bridge and caused some damage to the bridge.

Visually the damage seems relatively minor but an inspection by bridge engineers found cracks in different parts of the steel, explained Donald Saunders, bridge manager for Alberta Transportation central region.

While the cracks aren’t significant enough to make the bridge unsafe, speed in the southbound lane has been dropped to 80 km/h. Saunders says Alberta Transportation had plans to conduct some repairs on the bridge this year but engineers are having to re-evaluate those repairs and what they entail because of the incident.

Motorists are still able to use the exit and entrance ramps on Highway 2 but the traffic has been slowed to allow vehicles to enter the highway safely. As for repair time tines, Saunders isn’t sure when they will begin until a full assessment can be made. There may be a chance to do so in warmer weather but Saunders added the bridge is still safe to drive on.

It is unknown the cost of the repairs until a full inspection can be completed but Saunders said the province looks at cost recovery.

There were no charges from the incident.