Another Winnipeg bridge is set to undergo an extensive and expensive upgrade.

The Disraeli Bridge and the Disraeli Overpass are in such bad repair that the city says it can't wait much longer to repair them.

Close to 40,000 vehicles pass over the Disraeli Freeway every day, and it's a regular route for thousands living in the downtown area and on Henderson Highway.

But starting next fall, those people will have to look for another way.

Janice Stuyck remembers when the Redwood Bridge was closed in 2006, and unlike the flowers she sells, Stuyck said it wasn't pretty. "When the Redwood Bridge was closed people can't get to a business," she said.

The Disraeli Bridge is set to close in 2009, and instead of being closed for nine months it will be closed for close to 16 months, and Stuyck worries her business will suffer. "16 months will encompass you know, Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, Christmas, wedding season... those are all the ways we make money," said Stuyck.

City crews are currently upgrading the Fory Garry bridge on Bishop Grandin Boulevard. Crews have closed the eastbound bridge and have directed two-way traffic on the westbound side.

However, in the case of the Disraeli repairs, crews will have to close the overpass completely -- and the 40,000 vehicles that use the bridge every day will need to be rerouted, said Brad Sacher of the City of Winnipeg Public Works Dept.

"What this will allow us to do is actually compress the time frame of construction," he explained to CTV's Alana Pona. "If we were to accomodate the traffic through the site it would just prolong the project significantly."

A committee set up by the city is asking people in the area to weigh-in and choose one of three design concepts.

One concept would cost roughly $125 million, while the other two would each cost around $160 million. see images above and to the right

The main difference is that the more expensive concepts offer wider lanes and better pedestrian and bicycle access -- an advantage Patricia Hayes likes.

"That's really good because bike safety is really important," said the bridge user. "I wouldn't even ride a bike on the road. I'm too scared."

However, some are siding on cost, like Bob Balina, who also lives in the area. "We should have one walkway one-way, not both sides. You don't need both," he said. "You can save money there if you want. And I don't like the thing in the middle -- the guard in the middle."

The city is recommending traffic be re-routed to several bridges in the area -- including the Redwood, Louise and Chief Peguis Bridges.

The overpass was built in 1960 to create a link between downtown and Elmwood/East Kildonan. The Freeway consists of two seperate bridges; the Disraeli Bridge which spans the Red River, and the Disraeli Overpass which goes over Point Douglas. It was built before de-icing salts were used on roads in the winter. Back then no one knew for sure what kind of effect they would have on infrastructure. That salt has corroded the steel on the bridge and has caused it to weaken.

The city says it has also become difficult to maintain the bridge and has proven to be more costly repairing it so economically it would save a lot of money to renovate it entirely.

You can have your say at which design you like at one of three open houses planned for next week:

  • Tuesday April 29, 2:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Norquay Community Centre - Gym, 65 Granville St., corner of Rover Ave.
  • Thursday May 1, 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. MTS Centre - Atrium, 2nd floor, 300 Portage Ave.
  • Saturday May 3, 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Good Neighbours Senior Centre, 755 Henderson Hwy.

You can also click here for more information on this and other major bridge repair projects.

With a report from CTV's Alana Pona.