Canfor audit finds bridge deficiencies

VICTORIA — An audit of the Canadian Forest Products Ltd. (Canfor) in Mackenzie has found numerous faults with bridges.

The audit found one bridge was improperly built and 11 others have structural deficiencies, states a news release.

All the bridges were on publicly accessible roads.

Legislation “requires licensees to maintain bridges, and, if they find structural deficiencies, the bridges must be repaired, closed to users or have signs posted to limit the weight of vehicles permitted to cross the bridge. Canfor did not follow these requirements,” said Bruce Larson, acting chair of the Forest Practices Board, in the release.

The audit was completed in the Mackenzie Natural Resource District.

Since the audit brought these issues to light Canfor has removed four of the bridges, rebuilding the first bridge, performed bridge inspections and is actively working with the Ministry of Forests and local communities to handle the remaining bridges, said Larson.