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Herkimer Street Bridge to Re-Open in Sault Ste. Marie After Nearly a Year
After being closed for almost a year, the Herkimer Street bridge in Sault Ste. Marie is expected to re-open before significant winter snowfalls. The 62-year-old bridge over the Big Carp River was closed last November after an inspection revealed multiple defects, including problems with the wooden piles supporting the structure.
City council has approved a temporary repair plan to reinforce key components of the bridge, allowing a portion of Herkimer Street to reopen to most traffic. The bridge will operate under a lower speed limit, a 16-tonne load restriction, and single-lane crossings.
Continuous monitoring of the temporary repairs will be conducted, and if safety issues arise, the bridge may be closed again. The temporary repairs and future monitoring are estimated to cost around $40,000.
Residents in the neighborhood rely heavily on Herkimer Street, one of only two access routes. Without it, emergency response times could be delayed, evacuation routes limited, and two more dead-end roads would be created, increasing risks like illegal dumping or campfires.
To accommodate the load restrictions, the city plans to hire a contractor with smaller snowplow equipment for winter maintenance between Victoria Street and Carpin Beach Road, with costs included in the 2026 winter maintenance budget.
The city is also planning an environmental assessment that could guide a long-term replacement for the aging bridge. A full replacement could cost as much as $3.6 million, while decommissioning would cost at least $240,000.
Federal funding totaling $19.3 million over four years has been committed to support infrastructure projects in Sault Ste. Marie, including roads, bridges, public transit, and water systems.
Local councillors emphasize the importance of keeping the bridge open while a permanent solution is developed. Ward 5 Coun. Matthew Scott stated that the temporary reopening alleviates immediate concerns but stressed the need for a long-term replacement to ensure safety and reliable access for residents. Coun. Corey Gardi echoed these sentiments, noting the bridge’s crucial role in the west end of the community and the hope that funding and planning will allow it to be replaced in the future.
This temporary reopening marks a significant step toward restoring safe and reliable access to the Big Carp River neighborhood while city officials work on securing a permanent solution.
