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Shift in bridge closes historical Bracebridge Silver Bridge indefinitely

The Silver Bridge in Bracebridge, Ont., is closed temporarily for detailed structural assessment. (Bracebridge Chamber of Commerce/Facebook) The Silver Bridge in Bracebridge, Ont., is closed temporarily for detailed structural assessment. (Bracebridge Chamber of Commerce/Facebook)
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Bracebridge's historical Silver Bridge will be closed for the foreseeable future.

This week, the District of Muskoka closed the bridge to vehicle and pedestrian traffic after a structural assessment.

According to the district, Town of Bracebridge staff encountered issues on the bridge when clearing snow.

District staff attended the site and noticed a shift in the bridge that was not previously present during its last inspection in November.

According to the district, a senior structural engineer was brought in to assess the shift and to determine the next steps for repairs.

“We are being proactive to reduce the load on the bridge and safeguard both the public and this iconic infrastructure,” said James Steele, Commissioner of Engineering and Public Works. “We know how important this bridge is to the community and its history, and so we'll make extra efforts to keep everyone informed as we learn more and work on repairs.”

The Silver Bridge dates back to 1929 and has been an important part of the town's history, serving as an iconic symbol of heritage and preservation.

There is no timeline for when the bridge will reopen. The district is asking drivers and pedestrians to use alternative routes to access the downtown area.  

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