The Touzel bridge linking Minganie to the rest of Quebec, which was closed last Tuesday after the discovery of a crack in the structure, will be reopened to light vehicles on Thursday morning. However, trailers, buses, agricultural vehicles or heavy trucks will not yet be able to use the road link.
This was announced by the Minister of Transport, Geneviève Guilbault, at the end of the afternoon on Tuesday, thanking the residents affected by this closure “for their resilience”.
In a press release, the Ministry of Transport specifies that it has proceeded in recent days “to the installation of reinforcement plates on the beam”. On Wednesday, the same equipment will be installed on the support elements of the bridge, which “will allow the reopening of the structure”, it is argued.
But not everything is settled yet. Other analyzes and work are necessary “before allowing the passage of all types of vehicles”, warns Quebec. The nature of other requirements will need to be determined first before releasing a full reopening date.
Seven days ago, after a protocol inspection, the Touzel bridge had been completely closed for a period which was initially indefinite. A crack had been discovered on the metal structure of the bridge, making it potentially risky in the eyes of the authorities.
4500 kg, the limit
Until further notice, therefore, trailers, buses and minibuses, agricultural vehicles and heavy trucks with a net mass of more than 4,500 kg will not be able to travel on the Touzel bridge. The airlift, set up last week to resupply communities, will remain in place for the time being, “as long as necessary”.
Only vehicles “equipped with two axles and whose net mass is less than 4,500 kg” will for the moment be authorized to cross the Touzel bridge. This includes most light commercial vehicles, or “pickup” trucks, such as the Ford F-150 for example, which weighs 2274 kg.
“Once again, the North Coast residents have demonstrated their ability to help each other and collaborate,” said the Minister responsible for the North Shore, Kateri Champagne Jourdain, on Tuesday, also highlighting the essential work of the stakeholders and the collaboration of local populations.
Despite its immense territory, Minganie is home to less than 6,500 inhabitants, the majority of whom live in Havre-Saint-Pierre. Tuesday, The Press reported that the closure had several consequences for residents: empty shelves in grocery stores, rationed milk and gasoline, families moving in rowboats, to name a few. Fruits and vegetables are scarce, but the population keeps their spirits up without really knowing what to expect.
Built in 1973, the Touzel bridge is located on Route 138 and overlooks the Sheldrake River, in Rivière-au-Tonnerre. Its total length is 107 meters and its width is just over 11 meters.