Written by Capt Nicholas Bonderoff, OC 46 ES, 38 CER
During two weeks in September 2016, members of 38 Combat Engineer Regiment (CER) constructed a Pedestrian Suspension Bridge across the Moose Jaw River completing the Trans Canada Trail through Saskatchewan.
Once at the bridge site in Moose Jaw, the towers were assembled and the construction of the bridge commence. Both squadrons from Saskatoon and Winnipeg also came to Moose Jaw allowing for a regimental exercise during the first weekend of construction. The extra soldiers on the ground were needed as all the cables had to be strung across the river as well as the erection of the towers. During construction, an assault boat was used to move people and materials expediently across the river.
Combat Engineers are well versed in bridging; however, construction of a suspension bridge was a new challenge for everyone. Soldiers from 38 CER gained valuable construction experience including reading drawings, operating power tools, working with fall arrest equipment, and overcoming construction challenges as they arose. Diligent planning and preparation ensured minimal delays once work started. There were many long days and some muddy conditions but the soldiers persevered to ensure an on-time completion with 14 days on site.
Combat Engineer Regiments across Canada have completed over 30 bridge projects for the Trans Canada Trail. This project is well summarised by MCpl Nicholas Mack a member of 38 CER in Saskatoon, “Building the Wakamow Bridge was a fantastic opportunity to make a lasting impact in the Moose Jaw community and on the Trans-Canada trail. A lot of hard work, ingenuity and long hours were put in by the unit to make this project happen.”
The bridge towers are a heavy timber construction and are 10m in height. The bridge span is 44m and the walkway is 2m wide.
CHIMO
