The Rural Municipality of Dufferin is moving forward with two significant infrastructure projects this spring, including the long-awaited replacement of the McEachern Bridge on Road 22W north of Provincial Trunk Highway 3 and temporary maintenance work on the Road 25W (Sexsmith Road) bridge over the Boyne River.
A map shared by the RM of Dufferin shows the location of the McEachern Bridge replacement on Road 22W north of PTH 3, marked with a red “X.” Construction began Feb. 23, with the new bridge expected to open by late May to mid-June, weather permitting
The McEachern Bridge crossing was closed to traffic in 2012 due to significant deterioration and damage sustained during flooding events. Deconstruction began in 2013, and the structure was fully removed from the Boyne River, with the exception of the remaining timber pile foundations.
At the time, repair costs exceeded the value of the aging timber structure, making full replacement the more responsible long-term solution.
Since its closure, residents and agricultural producers have faced a 6.5- to 6.6-kilometre detour. The municipality says the closure has increased fuel costs, added wear and tear to alternate municipal roads and delayed emergency response times. The dead-end condition of Road 22W has also created safety concerns for unfamiliar drivers.
The total cost of the replacement project is estimated at $2,370,034, including engineering, construction, materials and a contingency allowance.
Funding is being provided through a combination of provincial and federal sources. The Manitoba Growth, Renewal and Opportunities for Municipalities (Manitoba GRO) Program is contributing 50 per cent of eligible project costs, with the remaining balance funded through the federal Canada Community-Building Fund. Together, those funding streams allow the municipality to proceed without placing the full financial burden on local taxpayers.
With funding secured and detailed engineering complete, construction is now moving ahead. The municipality says reinstating the bridge supports economic development by restoring efficient access for grain farms, residents, commercial trucking operations and the Bayer Research Farm. It also strengthens transportation links between Provincial Trunk Highway 13, Provincial Road 305 and PTH 3, and aligns with regional growth plans near the Town of Carman.
The former structure was a four-span timber bridge approximately 110 feet long. The new bridge will be a 26-foot-wide, 80-foot-long galvanized steel single-span structure rated to CL-625 standards, meaning it is designed to safely accommodate modern heavy truck traffic and legal commercial loads. Compared to the former timber bridge, the new structure will offer significantly improved durability, load capacity and resilience to future flooding events.
The most challenging milestone will be completing all in-water work by March 31 to comply with environmental and fisheries regulations. Once that phase is complete, the remaining construction is expected to proceed toward substantial completion by the end of May, with full completion anticipated by the end of June.
Meanwhile, the municipality has temporarily closed the Road 25W bridge structure for maintenance work.
Repairs focus on structural improvements beneath the bridge, including north abutment and embankment repairs, replacement of deteriorated pier pile caps, installation of new structural components, riprap armouring and resurfacing to protect the deck. The upgrades are intended to extend the service life of the existing three-span concrete bridge.
The work was scheduled for late February to take advantage of winter conditions, which minimize environmental impact, allow safer equipment access and enable crews to complete key structural repairs before spring runoff and higher water levels.
The bridge carries approximately 50 vehicles per day and serves local residents, agricultural operations, nearby commercial businesses, school buses and emergency services.
While the bridge structure itself is closed, Road 25W remains open on both the north and south sides of the river, allowing continued access to properties from either direction. Motorists needing to cross the Boyne River are being directed to use nearby crossings via Provincial Road 245 and connecting municipal roads.
Emergency services have been notified of the closure and will use alternate crossings when travel across the Boyne River is required. The municipality says access to all properties will remain available throughout the maintenance period.
