Miles Canyon suspension bridge to close temporarily for repairs

The historic Miles Canyon suspension footbridge thatspans the Yukon River south of Whitehorsewill be closed from Sept. 12to Oct. 31for repairs.

JenniferMacgillivray,director of Infrastructure Development in the Yukon government's Community Services department,said the bridgewas closed last fall for the winterbecause of rotting wooden beams.

Temporary repairs were made in April so residents and touristscould use it during the summer.

The work done this fall should make the bridge safe to use for decades, she said.

The entrance areas to the bridge will fenced off and warning signs posted during the work.

"It's a construction zone;it's not safe to walk on," saidMacgillivray.

"I don't think it will look safe when it's under construction. I don't think people will attempt to walk across the bridge."

CMF Construction Ltd. of Nanaimo, B.C., was awarded the $288,243 contract after submitting the lowest bid.

Macgillivray said the federal government built the Miles Canyon bridgein 1922and later turned it over to the territorial government. It has been repaired several times since then, she said.