OUTLOOK, Sask. – Outlook will be home to the longest pedestrian bridge in Canada when an old railway bridge becomes part of the Trans Canada Trail this fall.
Volunteers Doreen Bell, Ruth Ballek and Russell McPherson have helped organize a number of fundraisers like a triathlon and town-wide garage sale to pay the $100,000 cost of the project.
The group borrowed money from the rural municipality of Rudy and the town of Outlook, but is confident it will be able to pay them back.
“I feel it shouldn’t come out of the taxpayers’ pockets,” said Bell.
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The bridge, originally erected in Lachine, Que., and moved to Outlook in 1910, was donated by CP Rail, which shut it down in the 1980s.
“Outlook has been recycling for 100 years,” joked Bell of the bridge that was moved in chunks and riveted together over the South Saskatchewan River.
Recycling project
At 914 metres long and 45 m high, the old railway deck will be lined with chest-high chain link fences on both sides of the trail. It will have recycled plastic planks, including some from an extensive recycling program in the town.
Plastics were selected as a more durable, low to no maintenance option that would be less susceptible to the ravages of weather, they say.
“It’s also a good fit with the town’s philosophy on recycling,” said Ballek.
The 33rd Field Engineer Squadron (Calgary) of the Canadian Military Engineers will donate the engineering work on the bridge conversion as part of the military group’s 100th anniversary celebrations.
The soldiers have already completed 46 bridges in the 18,000-plus kilometre Trans Canada Trail. The Outlook bridge, their only Saskatchewan project, should be completed by Oct. 9 and will link walking trails already in place in parks on either side of the river.
Bell said there’s been good support for the bridge, noting concerns from those living across the river from Outlook were allayed by involving them on the committee.
The group also has its eye on reopening an old road traffic bridge one day, perhaps as a snowmobile and walking trail for those who come to camp, picnic, birdwatch or golf in and around the Outlook parks.
“It’s a shift in focus to the river instead of having our backs to it,” said McPherson.
He said the trail will allow Outlook to show off its natural beauty while helping people learn more about the history of the bridge and the area.
“We have a tendency to bulldoze our history in Saskatchewan,” said McPherson.
People with stories to share about the bridge for a history project are asked to contact Kate Johnson at kcsnon@yahoo.com.
