The St. Louis bridge was closed in 2014 after it suffered structural damage. (File photo/paNOW Staff)

By Glenn Hicks

preserving the past

St. Louis bridge set for entrance face-lift

Nov 5, 2019 | 12:00 PM

It may no longer have use as a crossing, but the old St. Louis bridge is still getting a make-over of sorts as community members seek to preserve the 104-year-old structure and highlight its history.

The iconic steel structure features a central rail track with winged roadway portions on either side.

New tubular fencing with a design depicting the history of the bridge and area is being created at the south side.The fence will span the width of the entrance that currently has a chain-link fence blocking entry, which is regarded as an eyesore.

“The fence will have a horse and plough on it, a buffalo head and an ox with a Red River cart,” Claude Tournier, one of the volunteers with the St. Louis Historical Society, told paNOW. “Above the buffalo head it’ll say ‘St. Louis Bridge 1914 -2014.’”

A design drawing of the planned fencing that will be placed across the south entry of the old St. Louis bridge. (submitted photo/Claude Tournier)

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The ageing bridge was closed by the Ministry of Highways in 2014 and deemed unsafe to any form of traffic including pedestrian. It was replaced by a new structure further along the South Saskatchewan River.

“We’re going to put up signs with the history of the bridge, maybe a few benches with lights, just to make it more attractive than what’s there,” Tournier said. He figured about $40,000 was raised so far for the beautification project, thanks to local businesses and donations.

Like Tournier, fellow volunteer Roger Begrand was born and raised in the area and wanted to be involved in preserving and highlighting a special piece of architecture.

“The bridge was built and opened in 1914 with only the rail line… and the [roadway] wings were then added in 1929 on either side so the traffic could go across,” he explained.

But it’s not only the look of the bridge that has motivated the group to spruce up the southern entrance.

“There’s a lot of Métis history in this whole area going all the way from St. Louis to Batoche. I think it’ll be very interesting for people to come visit and learn more about this area,” Begrand said.

He hoped by May 2020 the new façade will be up and become a place where visitors can stop and take pictures.

A Ministry of Highways spokesperson told paNOW they were still considering possible steps to fully decommission the old bridge. It is off-limits to pedestrians because a significant amount of work would be needed to make it safe for walking and cycling including railings.

“It was not designed for pedestrians, so there are concerns about people falling through some of the areas of the deck,” Steve Shaheen said. “Representatives from the ministry have had conversations with local people about the requirements needed to make it safe and the community certainly realizes that would be a significant challenge.”

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glenn.hicks@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @princealbertnow