The persistent headache otherwise known as Mooney Creek bridge came up before M.D. #124 council at its Feb. 13 meeting. Facing another season of possible floods, council faces a tough decision on the fate of old, battered and inconvenient (when it floods) span on the old highway west of Slave Lake.
Public works manager George Snider reminded council that when the creek runs high – which it does about twice per year – the bridge acts as a dam, causing flooding and much road damage. The cost to the M.D. runs into the tens of thousands of dollars each time.
Not only that, Snider said, the bridge is becoming weak and would need to be closed or replaced regardless of the damming factor. It’s already unsuitable for heavy loads.
The cost of replacement is estimated at $1.5 - $1.8 million, money the M.D. doesn’t have and the province has not offered. Snider said even if the province did decide to put the bridge on a list for funding, “it wouldn’t happened for quite a few years.”
In the meantime, the bridge keeps costing the taxpayers $20,000 to $25,000 a year. With spring approaching, he said, it would be good to have a decision on the bridge – either to get it out of there, or to simply close the road and let the floodwaters have their way. Spending money on machines to clear debris apparently doesn’t make sense when the bridge isn’t worth saving.
M.D. manager Allan Winarski told council that the province has offered to cover the cost of removing the bridge. The province doesn’t seem keen on the idea of replacing it, he said, given that it’s “within spitting distance of the highway.” Not only that, but the very small number of residents who use it regularly adds to the low priority from a provincial point of view.
How about a culvert? asked one councillor.
“It’s too big,” Snider said, adding that he doubted whether the federal agencies would go for it.
“Will taking the bridge out prevent flooding?” asked reeve Denny Garratt.
Snider said that it largely would.
Councillor Debbie Parsons said if it comes to spending $1.5 million, she’d rather see it go towards the south shore sewer project. Councillor Brian Rosche pointed out that the old road serves as a good detour when the highway gets closed, as had just happened the night before when he was on his way home.
Councillor Darcie Acton said she’d like to hear the views of the affected residents.
Winarski told council that the M.D. plans to convey the closure idea directly to the residents on the road. Otherwise, the general public will be invited by means of a newspaper ad to a council meeting to discuss the fate of the bridge.

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