Temporary Sewer Pipe on Fort Garry Bridge

Update:  September 2025

Thank you to Joyanne Purgusa from the Winnipeg Free Press for this article – see here to read.

In November 2023, an inspection found one of two sewer pipes that cross the Red River at the Fort Garry bridges had failed and the other was in poor condition. The temporary bypass system was being assembled when the second pipe failed.  The most recent project update received was in May:

• In Spring 2024, several large storm events impacted the temporary bypass system that’s currently redirecting sewage.
• Adjustments to the pumps and overall pumping arrangement were necessary to improve reliability and increase capacity.
• Unfortunately, those changes resulted in delays to the schedule for installing the new permanent underground pipe crossing.
• The switchover to the new underwater crossing is now anticipated to occur in 2026.

The narrowed traffic lanes and critical nature of the temporary bypass system require a 60 km/h speed limit to protect both motorists and the infrastructure.

• This is highly specialized and complex work and there are only a handful of qualified contractors, all (of) which are from outside the province. The contract for this work identifies that the winning bidder will create a new 380-metre long sewer crossing (siphon) under the Red River.

The emergency bypass will remain in place until construction of the permanent one is complete.  We know this ongoing situation — particularly the prolonged speed reduction and use of photo radar is not ideal and apologize for any inconveniences.

John Wood (photo / Winnipeg Free Press)