An encampment fire underneath the University Bridge in Saskatoon on Sunday night damaged sewage pipes and led to the closure of the bridge Monday morning.
“University Bridge is shut down completely due to a fire under the bridge,” the city said in a news release.
“Detours are in place. Drivers are asked to re-route their commute and pedestrians are asked to avoid University Bridge area while crews remain on scene.”
Fire crews were still working Monday morning to extinguish hot spots that have been difficult to access, according to the release.
Sawhorses set up at the top and bottom of the commuter route diverted traffic to side streets.
An encampment that caught fire underneath Saskatoon’s University bridge caused a major headache for commuters and the city Monday morning. The blaze damaged sewer pipes and a forced closure of the entire bridge.
The trouble started around 10 p.m. CST on Jan. 19.
“Crews responded and identified smoke and flames coming from underneath the University Bridge,” the release said.
Russ Munro, the city’s water director, said in an early morning briefing that the fire damaged a 400 mm sewage line that runs under the bridge.
“That became compromised,” he said.
“The primary issue is that sewage is leaking, it’s in the river. The appropriate authorities have been informed. We’re working to isolate it very quickly.”
According to a City of Saskatoon news release, wastewater crews are doing modelling to ensure that a sewer line bypass won’t cause a sewage backup.
The bridge is expected to remain closed for the rest of Monday, but the south side pedestrian walkway will be open. The Meewasin Trail on the east side of the river will remain closed.