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There’s no timeline yet for when the University Bridge will reopen.
The major Saskatoon crossing was closed to the public Wednesday morning after a fire at an urban encampment.
According to the Saskatoon Fire Department, firefighters were called to a blaze that broke out at an abandoned encampment under the University Bridge shortly before 1 a.m. Wednesday.
(Mia Holowaychuk/650 CKOM)
On Wednesday afternoon, the fire department explained that crews found a mattress burning on top of one of the bridge’s archways. That area is now under control, the department added, but the fire has spread to another archway down the bridge.
“The difficulty we’re having is the void spaces are hard to get to with all the concrete and everything that’s around it,” explained battalion chief Sean Thody.
He said crews are drilling holes from the top of the bridge to get into the spaces where timbers are burning.
Sean Thody, battalion chief with the Saskatoon Fire Department. (Mia Holowaychuk/650 CKOM)
There is no timeline yet for when the bridge will reopen, according to Terry Schmidt, general manager of transportation and construction for the city.
He said a preliminary assessment has started, and so far there’s no evidence of any major structural damage.
Before the bridge reopens, he said the city will make a detailed assessment to ensure the bridge is safe.
The City of Saskatoon announced road closures — including closing the bridge — to give firefighters room to do their jobs safely.
“From the east side of the bridge, drivers are encouraged to take Clarence Avenue to 12th Street and use the Broadway Bridge,” the city said in a statement.
“From the west side of the bridge, drivers are encouraged to take alternate routes downtown to use the Broadway Bridge.”
The bridge closure affects transit on routes 4, 6, 43, 44, 45 and 46, the city said, and bus riders using those routes were advised that delays are likely.
The city also shared a video of the damage, showing heavy smoke inside the bridge structure.
