The City of Winnipeg has closed the Arlington Street Bridge indefinitely due to safety concerns over the structural integrity.

According to a release from the city “steel corrosion has accelerated in recent years, is widespread, and has progressed to the point where it is no longer viable to make annual reactive safety repairs.”

The bridge is 121-years-old and over the past several decades the city has said that although they have made every effort to keep the bridge open with annual closures and maintenance they have consistently stressed the potential of a more permanent closure at any time.

Even though the bridge is now closed maintenance will continue to be performed on the bridge supports that are not allowing the structural steel truss spans are not allowing the spans to expand and contract as required with changes in temperature.

A study commissioned earlier this year is expected in the coming months to determine if long-term rehabilitation is possible or if the bridge should be decommissioned.