ManitobaWinnipeg’s Louise Bridge will reopen to vehicles and pedestrians Friday morning after crews finished repairs on the century-old structure, say the city’s mayor and officials.Rehabilitation work on bridge, built in 1911, could start as early as next yearCBC News · Posted: Aug 20, 2025 5:28 PM EDT | Last Updated: 3 hours agoThe Louise Bridge, which spans the Red River, connects Higgins Avenue in Point Douglas to Stadacona Street in Elmwood. The nearest alternate bridge is the Disraeli Bridge to the north. (Sarah Bridge/CBC)Winnipeg’s Louise Bridge will reopen to vehicles and pedestrians Friday morning after crews finished repairs on the century-old structure.As maintenance work on the bridge wraps up, staff are continuing to work on its long-term rehabilitation plan, city officials said in a news release Wednesday.Mayor Scott Gillingham also announced the reopening in an Instagram post.A preliminary design to extend the bridge’s life by 25 to 40 years was approved in principle by council last year, and rehabilitation work could start as early as 2026, pending budget approvals, the city said.The bridge was closed in May as part of an annual inspection and was expected to reopen at the end of July, but that was pushed back after corrosion that needed repairs was discovered.The bridge was then expected to open in early September, meaning Friday’s reopening puts it slightly ahead of that delayed schedule.The Louise Bridge spans the Red River, connecting Higgins Avenue in Point Douglas to Stadacona Street in Elmwood. The nearest alternate bridge is the Disraeli Bridge to the north.City officials have gone back and forth over whether to replace or rebuild the aging Louise Bridge, first constructed in 1911.In 2009, the city earmarked funds to expand the bridge to four lanes.That design was never finished, and consultations continued.Last year, a report recommended doing repairs to extend the life of the bridge for roughly 30 more years, rather than replacing it with a new structure in the short term.Arlington Bridge decommissioning continuesMeanwhile, the city says work continues to decommission the Arlington Bridge, which was closed to vehicles and pedestrians in 2023.Council amended the 2025 budget to add $17 million to demolish the bridge and another $5 million to start the final design work for a new Arlington bridge, according to the city’s news release.
Winnipeg’s Louise Bridge to reopen Friday after delay
