Sudbury ponders options to fix crumbling College Street underpass, city's oldest bridge

Next week, Sudbury city council will decide how to rehabilitate the College Street underpass, which was built in 1949.

Next week, Sudbury city council will decide how to rehabilitate the College Street underpass, which was built in 1949.

The oldest bridge in the city is badly in need of repairs and council will decide Nov. 26 whether to proceed with the staff-recommended option of installing a roundabout and cycling infrastructure at the site, at a cost of $25 million.

"The last biennial bridge inspections in Greater Sudbury were completed in 2022 and included a visual assessment of the condition of the College Street underpass," a staff report said.

"Comments included in that specific report indicated that the structure has restricted clearances, poor visibility, and is in poor condition. The recommended capital work from the 2022 inspection was to replace the bridge."

Wire mesh has been installed on the bridge soffit to prevent crumbling concrete from falling onto the roadway and sidewalk.

Complicating the repair process is the fact three railway tracks run along the top of the structure. Under an agreement with the railway, the city would need to keep the tracks open during the repair. The cost of adding a temporary, three-track detour to allow work to be done is $40 million, the report said, limiting their options.

Staff is recommending the $25 million option that would extend the life of the existing bridge for another 25 to 30 years. Money for the work has already been budgeted in a special capital levy of $1.9 million a year.