Engineers found cracks in this SkyTrain bridge during a routine check. (Buckland & Taylor Ltd.)Engineers have found cracks in braces in the SkyTrain Bridge that spans the Fraser River between New Westminster and Surrey, B.C.
But, despite the cracks, the bridge is safe, according to TransLink, the regional transportation authority serving the Lower Mainland.
However, the transit authority is running only two-car trains across the structure to keep the load lighter, and the cars will also travel slower.
"This is not a significant issue by any stretch, otherwise engineers, being who they are, would exercise an abundance of care and shut the bridge down and that's just not the case here," said Ken Hardie, a spokesperson for TransLink.
Hardie said the braces are not part of the major load-bearing portion of the bridge.
He called it normal wear and tear on the structure and concedes similar things have occurred in the past.
The cracks were discovered during a routine inspection earlier this week.
