The University Bridge has reopened after a fire underneath the bridge deck late Sunday night resulted in damage to a sanitary sewer main and a full bridge closure.

The bridge reopened following a structural inspection on Wednesday morning, but there will be traffic restrictions until the sanitary sewer line, which was melted by the fire, can be repaired. A temporary bypass line will remain on a section of the east end of the bridge and on the north walkway, which remains closed.

“Until the sanitary sewer line is repaired, and the bypass line is no longer needed, traffic is being accommodated with one lane in each direction,” says Jay Magus, Director of Transportation. “Signage is in place and drivers are encouraged to utilize the zipper merging technique by taking turns at the merge points.”

The City of Saskatoon continues to work closely with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment as wastewater spilled out of the damaged sanitary sewer line onto the bridge arches and riverbank below. The Meewasin Trail underneath the east side of the bridge remains closed as the cleanup continues. The walkway under the far west end of the bridge also remains temporarily closed to accommodate the bypass sanitary sewer line. The south walkway of the bridge and the Meewasin Trail on the west side of the bridge are open.