SASKATOON — The City of Saskatoon has advised residents that the wooden pedestrian bridge that provides access to Gabriel Dumont Park from Saskatchewan Crescent W will need to be repaired. Signage has been placed at the location directing pedestrians to avoid the area, and to use an alternate route until the walkway is reopened.
The city’s release Wednesday stated, “The Saskatoon Fire Department responded to a report of a fire in Gabriel Dumont Park on April 11 and found the walkway structure in flames. Crews put out the fire and turned the scene over the City’s Facilities Department, after which time it was reviewed by a bridge engineer.”
“Following the bridge assessment, the building engineer concluded that the fire had concentrated at the east end of the bridge. Fortunately, the fire did not significantly affect the structural capacity of the bridge and the assessment concluded the walkway bridge does not need to be replaced. Repairs to the bridge will include replacement of approximately 7.5m of floorboards, railings -- including posts -- and the centre wood stringer,” affirms the City of Saskatoon in their media release.
It is believed, that barring unforeseen circumstances, an external contractor is scheduled to start work on April 30 and estimates two weeks to complete the repairs. The railings will be repainted after bridge repairs are complete.
Gabriel Dumont Park includes both a natural prairie ecoscape and a typical urban park complete with children’s play village, picnic tables and washroom facilities, with the parking lot being accessible via Saskatchewan Crescent West. In addition to the pedestrian bridge, visitors can also enjoy a barbecue area, a canoe launch, hiking, points of interest, and wildlife viewing,
