Just days after a temporary bridge was opened on a busy road in Brownsburg, another well-used bridge has been closed.
On Monday, December 29, the Town of Brownsburg-Chatham issued a press release explaining that the Quebec Ministère des transports et de la mobilité durable (MTMD) had decided to immediately close the bridge on Rue des Érables. The street and bridge lead to Montee la Branche, which is a major connector between Brownsburg and Autoroute 50. A detour is in place via Rue Principale and Rue Saint-Joseph.
On December 29, municipal staff observed a hole in the bridge structure as well as pieces of concrete that had fallen into the river below. An emergency call was placed to the MTMD to ensure the safety of users. After inspection, the MTMD confirmed a major deficiency in the bridge’s central girder, rendering it unsafe to use. A civil engineer was expected on site Tuesday, December 30 to conduct a second assessment and determine the next steps.
The town noted that the MTMD had previously assured the municipality that Rue des Érables bridge was in good condition. The route of the detour goes over the temporary bridge which recently opened on Rue Principale. The town is awaiting clarification from the MTMD regarding the load limit for this new structure.
