Nisutlin Bay Bridge in Yukon, CA, can't use new bridge because of abutment problems

(Satellite)

15:35 video
Nisutlin Bay Bridge Mess
In this video, I discuss what are the likely geotechnical issues for a major bridge project in Canada that has resulted in the termination of the contracts with the bridge contractor and the bridge designer resulting in a current work stoppage for a the Nisutlin Bay Bridge in Teslin, Yukon Territory Canada.
"This bridge is the largest  construction project ever in the history of the Yukon." [0:10]
The old bridge was completed in 1956.

The bridge abutments use a relatively new design that was developed for Accelerated Bridge Design (ABC). The abutment consists of a standard pier and a Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) retaining wall joined by a jump slab.

@ 9:10

I think the problem is that the MSE is subjected to landslide forces that it cannot handle.

@ 10:56

I could not find a photo in their construction photos that shows the stringers to see if they are steel or concrete girders. This photo shows the temporary trestle that was used to build the new bridge. Of course, this official site talks about environment protection but does not about abutment booboos.

yukon
Summer - Fall 2023

This photo implies steel girders. In fact, they are made from weathering steel.

yukon_fun_facts

Their Facebook page does admit there is a problem, but that is all. The page ends with a Jun 4, 2025, post saying: whoops, we have geotechnical problems and we are investigating.

I did find a more recent FAQ. I've seen reference to money spent in Nov 2025 for remedial work on the old bridge. So, they must assume it is going to take a while to fix the abutments. Originally, the new bridge was supposed to open Spring 2026. It looks like it would have been on schedule if the abutments did not have a problem.

yukon_faq, p1

yukon_faq, p2

BNSF/Santa Fe Trestle over Tierra Blanca Creek near Canyon, TX

(no Bridge Hunter; no Historic Bridges; Satellite)

Facebook Reel

Marvin Parker: massive railroad trestle bridge in Canyon, Texas (south of Amarillo) burned and collapsed on May 14, 2026, after a lightning strike ignited a series of wildfires in the Texas Panhandle. The BNSF Railway structure was completely destroyed, taking the line out of service while crews work to rebuild it.

It is not very tall, but it is rather long.

Street View, Jul 2024

1960/61 Canyon Quad @ 62,500

I started with the contour lines that were close together at the bottom of the above map. But that trestle is way too short. So I then looked at the contour lines next to the Tierra Blanca Creek. That is where I found the above street view.

Street View, Jul 2024

1950 Trail/Oregon, Pacific & Eastern "Stand By Me" Bridge over Mosby Creek and a Covered Bridge

(Archived Bridge Hutner; Bridge Hunter; no Historic Bridges; Satellite)

Trail View, Oct 2015

Doug Chapman posted seven photos with the comment: "During my trip Oregon July 26 2025 I visited the Row River trail bridge near Cottage Grove Oregon. It is a former rail bridge and was used in the 1986 movie Stand By me. In a few photos that is me dressed as Gordie Lachance from the movie."

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

I labeled the railroad as "rrIndustrial" because it looks like a logging railroad. Note the "Sawmill" where the two branches of the railroad meet.

1958/60 Roseburg Quad @ 250,000

I found three covered bridges while looking for the truss bridge. And then I noticed that Bridge Hunter lists a lot of covered bridges in this county. So, I'm just noting the one next to this truss bridge.

Trail View, Oct 2015

Street View, Aug 2024

They used wood for compression and steel for tension members.

Street View, Aug 2024

In fact, Lane County has 20 bridges, which is more than any other county west of the Mississippi River. [LaneCountyOR]

1889 New Bridge over Hackensack River at River Edge, NJ

(Archived Bridge Hunter; Bridge Hunter; no Historic Bridges; Satellite)

Because the bridge is a boundary, the bridge is also at New Milford and Teaneck, NJ.

Metrotrails posted two photos with the comment:

Metrotrails Then and Now Series: Historic early view of the 1889 pony truss swing bridge over the Hackensack River at Historic New Bridge Landing, compared to the same scene on our 2023 hike.

The bridge is considered to be the oldest extant swing span bridge in the State of New Jersey.

This bridge, built at the narrows of the Hackensack River, and the head of schooner navigation, occupies the same site as the original 1744 "New Bridge" erected here.

In 1776, the "New Bridge" was critical in the withdrawal of the Continental Army from the Hudson River as the British were moving in. The British army decided against taking the new bridge, and in doing so rewarded American forces with a successful retreat. This is why some refer to this as the "Bridge that saved a nation", which was the title of Historian Kevin Wright's book on the topic.

Constructed by the King Iron Company, the current bridge served as a major connector between River Edge, Teaneck, New Milford, and New Bridge Landing until the last vehicles traveled across in 1956. A newer bridge was constructed just upstream.

Today, the old swing pony truss span is pedestrian only, and is utilized as part of the greater Hackensack River Greenway.

Deborah Powell: We include the bridge on tours and it’s important for commuters to reach the New Bridge Landing train station. Until 1790 the strategic bridge was the first bridge above Newark Bay on the Hackensack River. There was a stage coach that came through traveling to Hackensack even before the American Revolution.

1

2

This view was taken from the replacement bridge.

Street View, Aug 2023

It has rivets, but it does not have gusset plates.

Kevin Morris, Aug 2024

I added the label "metalIron" since this bridge is made with iron instead of steel. 1889 is rather late for still using iron in a bridge.

Benjamin Mankowitz, Sep 2016

Tatiana Hoover, Oct 2024

The Historic New Bridge Landing Museum is on the west side of the bridge.

Steve Schwinn, Oct 2023

D Darko, Aug 2020

Digitally zoomed to Google Maps resolution

Mike Degrem, Jul 2025

?+2026 TN-353 Floyd W. "Jason" Lamb, Jr. Memorial Bridge over Nolichucky River

(no Bridge Hunter; no Historic Bridges; Satellite)

With the completion of building this bridge, TDOT has finished replacing all of the bridges that were destroyed by Hurricane Helene.

Street View, Oct 2023

"Today" in the reel's description is May 13, 2026.

Facebook Reel

Why didn't TDOT choose a photo that looks further to the left so that we can see the other side of the destroyed bridge. In particular, did the flood remove all of the piers?

Same Reel

The new bridge uses concrete girders.

Same Reel

I can't tell if the old bridge used concrete or steel girders. I'm guessing concrete.

Street View, Oct 2023

1826,2005 Original National Highway S-Curve and 1933,1982,2026 US-40 Bridges over Wheeling Creek at Blaine, OH

S-Curve: (Archived Bridge Hunter; Bridge Hunter; Historic Bridges; Satellite)

US-40: (Archived Bridge Hunter; Bridge Hunter; Historic Bridges; Satellite) Arches of Memory Bridge

US-40 Overview

I found these bridges while looking for the Lloydsville Bridge.

S-Curve is in the foreground, and the Arches of Memory Bridge is in the background.

2016 photo by Steve Conro via BridgeHutner_curve

2005 photo by Gregory S. Hamilton via BridgeHunter_curve

VisitBelmontCounty
"In Blaine, a 1918 brick paved section of National Road (now Pasco Road) can be seen/ a unique mile markers identifies the entrance to Pasco Drive. The Blaine Hill “S” Bridge, constructed in 1828, is the oldest documented standing bridge in Ohio. In 2001, the Ohio Legislature officially designated the Blaine Hill Bridge as Ohio’s Bicentennial Bridge. It was restored and rededicated in 2005."

bridgemeister

2006 photo by Jack Schmidt via BridgeHunter_US-40
I-70 was opened in 1954.

The bridge widens to three lanes to provide a truck lane for the uphill westbound traffic.

Street View, Nov 2021

jimgrey
"On the left is the stone-arch S bridge that carried the National Road over Wheeling Creek at Blaine, Ohio. On the right, its replacement being built: the Arches of Memory bridge, also known as the Blaine Viaduct. It opened in 1933."

During the 2005 rehab.

Federal Highway Administration

The bridge has been closed since mid-2024 to rebuild the superstructure. It is expected to open in Summer 2026. "The project will last about 12 months at an estimated cost of $13.52 million." Because of structural issues, they restricted the traffic in Jul 2024. (I assume the restriction was a weight limit.) But so many motorists violated the restriction that ODOT closed the bridge in Aug 2024. So this is an emergency bridge replacement.  [TimesLeaderOnline, paywall 3]

Frist, they had to get rid of the old stuff.

ODOT_09-26-2025
They removed the last beam on Sep 25, 2025.

ODOT_09-26-2025

Evidently, the arches were saved but the columns were replaced.

ODOT_12-4-2025

ODOT_02-17-2026
"Blaine Hill Bridge Project Update - final bridge beam placed on February 17, 2026"
"Since early December, the contractor has worked diligently through challenging winter conditions to install all 440 box beams, marking significant progress toward completion."

I wish they had a gallery of photos. I would like to see more about the construction. I found a beam being trucked to the worksite in a report to the public saying the transportation of beams will interrupt local traffic.

wtov9

Same Video