News Release Archive
TRANSPORTATION/PUBLIC WORKS--INDIAN SLUICE BRIDGE REVIEW ----------------------------------------------------------------- Transportation and Public Works Minister Don Downe has asked senior staff to review why new U-bolts used on the Indian Sluice bridge, near Yarmouth, didn't work. "Public safety is our greatest concern. We have to find out why U-bolts used on the Indian Sluice bridge didn't work," said Mr. Downe. "Whatever happened in this case, we have to make sure it doesn't happen again." The single-lane Indian Sluice bridge connects Surette and Morris Islands with mainland Yarmouth county. It buckled under the weight of a 26 tonne truck travelling over the bridge Oct. 12. An inspection of the steel truss structure, following the collapse, showed that one of a set of galvanized U-bolts that had been installed recently had failed. All the U-bolts, 18 on each side of the bridge, were replaced and are being tested as part of the examination. The bridge was repaired, inspected and reopened to traffic six days after the incident. -30- Contact: Chris Welner 902-424-8687 jlw Oct. 28, 1996 5:50 p.m.