By Jared Siemens and Dan Singleton
MVP Staff
The new $2.8 million Big Prairie Bridge over the Little Red Deer River northwest of Cremona opened for traffic on Friday, bringing an end to months of frustration for drivers in the area.
The bridge was constructed over the past year to replace the former bridge at the site, which was destroyed by a still unsolved arson fire in November 2009.
The county and Alberta Transportation are paying for the bridge project on a 50-50 cost sharing basis, she said.
The new bridge was originally scheduled to be completed in the fall of 2012, but construction was delayed until this spring. Heavy rains in the area in June also delayed the opening.
Mountain View County councillor Patricia McKean said the reopening is good news for her entire Division 2.
“I'm happy, happy, happy,” said McKean. “I has definitely been a great inconvenience for everyone.”
Council will be getting a report on the total bridge construction project, including final costs and penalties, at the August council meeting, she said.
Dave Street, chair of the Big Prairie Bridge committee that originally lobbied for the rebuild back in January 2010, said he's happy to “get back on a regular trail” with the bridge opening.
The Didsbury RCMP investigation into the arson fire remains open. Anyone with information is being asked to call Crime Stoppers.
