Skip to main content

VIDEO: Saskatoon bridge demolition removes final span

November 18, 2016
The final section of a defunct bridge in Saskatoon has now been removed by demolition contractor Rakowski Cartage & Wrecking. Excavators fitted with hydraulic breakers were employed by the firm to break up the final span, which collapsed into the river as planned. Demolition work to remove the defunct structure commenced in 2012. Other sections of the bridge were removed using explosive demolition earlier this year.

Work to construct the Saskatoon Traffic Bridge, also known as the Victoria Bridge, commenced in 1906 and the link opened to traffic in 1907. The construction of the 290m long truss-type bridge was instrumental in the development of modern day Saskatoon as the link connected Nutan on the east bank of the South Saskatchewan River, with Saskatoon and Riversdale on the west bank. When the bridge was constructed it cost $106,000, however it closed to traffic in 2010 as it was no longer considered structurally sound. The old structure joined Victoria Avenue to 3rd Avenue South and Spadina Crescent and the new bridge taking its place will be complete in 2018.

Related Content

  • Kentucky’s 1931 Ledbetter road Bridge comes to an explosive end
    October 1, 2014
    Specialist demolition contractors working for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet have successfully brought down one truss span of the Old Ledbetter Bridge near Paducah. The bridge has been taking traffic across the Mississippi River since 1931. Boat traffic on the Tennessee River was halted for about 90 minutes by the U.S. Coast Guard. KYTC said there were several audible warning signals, then a countdown, followed by a flash and puff of smoke from the explosive charges. As sound of the explosion echoed a
  • VIDEO - Bridge demolition going wrong
    June 17, 2015
    A bridge demolition job went spectacularly wrong in Finland recently. Luckily for all concerned, there were no casualties, but it could have quite easily been a different story. A demolition contractor was using an excavator fitted with a hydraulic breaker to break up the structure, but the work was carrying on despite live traffic flowing on the road under the bridge.

    Note too the behaviour of drivers on the route after the initial collapse.

    This video came just as the European Demolition Association headed to Finland’s capital Helsinki to discuss best practice.
  • Key projects free up Auckland's congested motorway network
    June 14, 2012
    A number of key projects in Auckland, New Zealand will free-up the city’s congested motorway network - Mary Searle reports.Auckland is a sprawling city, home to 1.4 million people, one third of New Zealand’s total population. Until recently, greater Auckland comprised Auckland city, North Shore city over the harbour bridge to the north, Waitakere city to the west and Manukau city to the south. An amalgamation of these various cities’ councils, plus the regional council and three district councils into one,
  • Effective, efficient long reach excavators
    April 13, 2012
    Long reach excavators now dominate the demolition sector - Mike Woof reports The last 10-15 years have seen the way demolition work is carried out change dramatically. Safety issues have long been of concern in the demolition sector, with the industry having been criticised for not doing enough to protect its workforce. Demolition projects can be dangerous due to the very nature of the job, with old structures being knocked down and broken up on-site. There is a substantial risk to site workers from