These photos speak volumes about bridge safety…

This series of three photos of the Perry River Bridge along the Trans-Canada Highway were taken by Revelstokian Hans Travnicek about a week ago. They speak volumes about the need to inspect and, where necessary, repair or replace bridges along Highway No. 1.

The BC Liberal government says it has a plan to twin the TCH all the way from Ashcroft to the Alberta border but given the apparent deterioration of this bridge, which is just 50 metres west of the Skyline filling station, it may want to accelerate those plans.

The Current hopes to have comment on Friday about the bridge’s safety from the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure.

Revelstoke resident Hans Travnicek was driving to Salmon Arm about a week ago when he noticed serious corrosion on the girders of the Perry Bridge near the Skyline. Curious, he stopped his vehicle and went for a closer look. Hans Travnicek photo
Revelstoke resident Hans Travnicek was driving to Salmon Arm about a week ago when he noticed serious corrosion on the girders of the Perry Bridge near the Skyline. Curious, he stopped his vehicle and went for a closer look. Hans Travnicek photo
Here's a close-up view of one of the corroded girders on the structure. Hans Travnicek photo
Here’s a close-up view of one of the corroded girders on the structure. Hans Travnicek photo
The rusted surface of this steel girder is clearly peeling away. Travnicek said the bridge may not yet be ready to collapse but this level of deterioration clearly begs for some amelioration by the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure. Hans Travnicek photo
The rusted surface of this steel girder is clearly peeling away. Travnicek said the bridge may not yet be ready to collapse but this level of deterioration clearly begs for some amelioration by the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure. Hans Travnicek photo