Saskatoon’s University Bridge is closed following an encampment fire under the bridge.
In an update at 5:45 p.m., the city said the fire is extinguished but the bridge remains closed to traffic.
The city said there are no structural concerns with the bridge.
The fire occurred just before 10 p.m. Sunday night closest to the east riverbank.
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“As a result of the fire, heat has melted the 400 mm sanitary sewer line under the bridge. This has led to a break in the sewer line and sewage is leaking onto the riverbank. The Water Security Agency has been notified,” the City of Saskatoon said in a release.
“A temporary 500 metre bypass line is now in place and operational. Arrangements are being made for a contractor to repair the damaged sanitary sewer line.”
City engineers have completed an initial assessment of the bridge and there appears to be no structural concerns, however a bridge inspection has been scheduled for Wednesday, January 22.
While University Bridge remains closed, the south side pedestrian walkway will be open and accessible from the top.
The Meewasin trail underneath the bridge on the east side of the river will remain closed due to the sewage leak.
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