Hundreds of bridges, culverts not being inspected properly: Manitoba auditor
By Canadian Manufacturing Onlline
Bridges Construction bridges inspection Manitoba
Manitoba’s auditor general says hundreds of bridges and culverts across the province are not being inspected as frequently as required—if at all.
A report released July 21 by Norm Ricard blames staff shortages, inconsistent procedures and infrastructure that, much as in other jurisdictions, is aging rapidly.
“Recent high-profile bridge collapses in Canada and the United States have made bridge safety a priority,” Ricard wrote, pointing to a 2006 overpass collapse in Laval, Que., that killed five people.
“They have highlighted the importance of properly managing bridge infrastructure and the potential impacts when a bridge fails.”
In one Manitoba case, police investigating a fatal accident on a bridge noted a lack of railings. Government inspectors investigated and found the bridge was in such poor condition, it needed to be closed, Ricard said.
The Infrastructure Department manages about 3,000 bridges and large culverts on provincial roadways and water-control structures. About 40 per cent of the bridges are more than 50 years old.
