New St. Louis Bridge bittersweet

After years of construction the ceremonial ribbon flew open on the new St. Louis Bridge.

On Friday the ministry of highways and infrastructure alongside other dignitaries officially opened the new bridge located 1.6 kilometres east of St. Louis.

This replaces the nearly century-old bridge located in the community, which immediately shut down to traffic and pedestrians after the opening of the new one.

Mayor Les Rancourt said the day was bittersweet.

“It’s a bit of excitement and a little bit of apprehension I guess.  We’re looking at anew opportunity for a new access as well as we’re looking at the closure of our bridge that’s such a historic significance to our community,” Rancourt said on Friday at the site of the grand opening.

Real estate

P.A.'s supply of housing for sale drops to 3 months

1h ago

Bodybuilding

Prince Albert bodybuilder wins top prize at regional competition

4h ago

Riderville

Riders seem confident heading into trading camp

8h ago

With the old bridge being decommissioned he wants to talk openly with the province about the possibilities of its future.

 “We want to sit down with the province and try to figure out some sort of a plan that we can utilize it to some kind of effect.  I don’t know exactly what level we’ll reach at, but we definitely want to keep it for its historic value and like I said it’s been part of recognition toward our community,” he said.

Some of the history of the bridge Rancourt is proud of is that it’s one of the first passageways across the river for the community and for railway. 

The new bridge could offer some economic issues to the community because it bypasses the community, he said.

“But we’re also hopeful and we see that there could be some potential in people that don’t want to be living in the cities or rurals and they might choose to make St. Louis their home now that we have a really very nice bridge and access our community,” he said.

“It was a hard pill to swallow knowing that we’re going to be having our old bridge shutdown, but we got move forward and know this will be beneficial for the province and we have to keep that in mind, it’s not just about us, it’s about the whole province.”

St. Louis resident Louis LaVergne also made an appearance at the bridge opening on Friday and feels this move is good and bad.

“The old bridge has many stories to tell,” he said.  “There were many events in the late 40s and early 50s where the water and ice on the South Saskatchewan River just about took the bridge out.”

 “Now that all of this is said and done the whole community is pretty happy with the opening of the new bridge,” he said.  “It did bypass some small businesses in St. Louis and they’ll feel the effect.”

Residents Lynn Regnier and Kelly Njaa were more than happy to see the new bridge finally up and working.

“With the new bridge it will be great for everybody in St. Louis and our old bridge is fairly old, it was shut down three or four times, so I think it’s a positive for everybody that uses Highway 2,” Regnier said.

Regnier was sad to see the old bridge shutdown, he said, but feels they’re better off with the new one. 

 “It’s a good.  Progression needs to happen; things don’t last forever. The old bridge couldn’t keep up and with the amount of truck traffic and infrastructure going on in the province; it’s a good thing,” Njaa said.

sstone@panow.com

On Twitter: @sarahstone84