Motorist safety remains top priority as damage assessment continues for Whoop-Up Drive bridge

Some of the top bridge experts in Canada have been engaged and have advised the City of Lethbridge that Whoop-Up Drive remains safe for motorists.

This advice comes in response to damage sustained to four of the six steel bridge girders during an incident involving a flatbed trailer carrying heavy equipment that struck the underside of the Whoop-Up Drive bridge on August 6. Support pillars remain in place under the bridge while engineers and crews continue to assess the damage and determine next steps.

The driver has been charged by Lethbridge Police Service under the Traffic Safety Act.

“We understand this is frustrating for motorists, especially those who live and commute to and from the westside on a daily basis,” says Mayor Blaine Hyggen. “I have received dozens of calls, texts and emails last night and this morning regarding the traffic issues related to the ongoing Whoop-Up Drive issues. As our experts continue to analyze, monitor and plan next steps, our Lethbridge City Council wants to thank our residents for their continued patience as we address these matters.”

Heavy load trucks (excluding standard pickups) remain temporarily restricted from crossing westbound on Whoop-Up Drive. A reminder that heavy load trucks must use Highway 3 until further notice. The City has reached out to large trucking companies in Lethbridge and digital signs have been updated to alert motorists. This restriction is being made out of an abundance of caution and to help prevent any further damage.

The Scenic Drive northbound to Whoop-Up westbound ramp will be closed, starting Wednesday at noon. This is being done to:

• Reduce traffic volume that would help the current maintenance work, as well as lessening impacts to the structural concerns with the damaged girders
• Help Lethbridge Transit, which is still safe to use on Whoop-Up Drive, address the current delays experienced on routes using Whoop-Up Drive

“Our engineering crews continue to monitor the four bridge girders that have been damaged,” says Joel Sanchez, Director of Infrastructure Services. “We are running inspections twice a day to monitor damages and assess next steps, while in constant communication with experts. Bridges are complex pieces of infrastructure and we have already been working with some of the top bridge experts in the country.”

The Whoop-Up Drive bridge is comprised of six individual steel girders. Numbering them from one to six, from north to south, this is an update on their status:

• No. 1 is damaged, but remains safe for motorists to use, according to experts
• No. 2 and No. 3 are damaged and are being assessed for repair
• No. 4 sustained the most damage. Needed repairs are being assessed, designed and planned, in consultation with experts
• No. 5 and No. 6 were not damaged and will remain open

“We do not yet have a timeline or potential repair costs related to this incident,” says Sanchez. “We currently have crews and contractors working on unrelated, pre-scheduled bridge maintenance. The recent incident is not impacting timelines for this project. To address one frequent comment we hear, having crews working 24 hours a day will not speed up the repair process or the ongoing bridge maintenance work due to the complexities involved.”

The City will be pursuing regular – non tax-related – cost-recovery avenues related to the August 6 incident, including insurance and other potential options.

Traffic lights in the affected areas have been coordinated for maximum efficiency. Earlier this summer, an additional turning lane was added to Bridge Drive and University Drive West to help move increased traffic through this route. Highway 3, which as a reminder is a Provincial highway, has capacity for additional traffic.

Since August 6, several incidents have been reported around unsafe driving in the impacted areas. While we understand the slowdown is an inconvenience, we are asking drivers to please respect each other’s safety by following reduced speed limits and construction signage.

Zipper merges remain in place on Whoop-Up Drive. Using a zipper merge helps traffic flow when there is a lane closure. See this video for reminders on how to properly navigate through a zipper merge.

Live traffic cameras are available online to help motorists monitor their route including both Whoop-Up Drive and Highway 3. Residents are encouraged to check the WebMap for up-to-date information on road closures, facility closures and city projects and initiatives. For further updates, delivered directly to your inbox, subscribe to the City of Lethbridge news feed.

For Public Inquiries:
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