The average bridge in the MD of Pincher Creek is 52 years old and the repair bill is climbing. A new engineering report projects spending of more than $21 million over the next decade.

The 10-year Bridge Structure Asset Management Plan interim update, presented to council in March, outlines changes to the MD’s inventory, condition ratings and long-term budget projections.

Prepared by Roseke Engineering, the update builds on the original plan completed in 2022. Since then, the MD has replaced multiple structures, completed significant maintenance on others and added new crossings to its inventory. One bridge was removed.

The MD now manages 164 structures, up from 160 in 2022. These include 111 bridge-sized culverts, 37 standard bridges and 16 major bridges. Despite ongoing upgrades, the network remains relatively old, with an average construction year of 1973.

Much of the infrastructure dates back to the 1950s and 1960s, when bridge construction peaked in the region. With typical design lives of 50 years for culverts and 75 years for bridges, many assets are approaching or exceeding their intended lifespan.

About one-third of all structures — 54 in total — currently require maintenance, a slight improvement from 2022. Nine others require closer monitoring due to significant deficiencies.

The number of structures expected to require major work within the next decade has increased. A total of 49 structures are on the priority list for maintenance or replacement, up from 40.

That shift is attributed largely to updated inspection data, including bridge coring work completed in 2021, and the advancing age of many bridge structures. While the number of bridge-sized culverts requiring work has decreased, the number of standard and major bridges needing attention has risen sharply.

Condition ratings show a mixed trend.

The number of structures in the most critical category has dropped to zero from four in 2022, indicating progress in addressing the most urgent deficiencies. However, more structures now fall into midrange categories, suggesting a broader wave of deterioration is emerging.

Engineers say the MD is working at a pace that exceeds requirements to keep up with its most critical structural issues, particularly those with condition ratings below 35 per cent. This contributes to an overall improvement in the network’s average condition.

Still, the report cautions that many structures with moderate ratings — between 35 and 50 per cent — may deteriorate on similar timelines, creating a surge in future maintenance demands.

Financial projections reflect that pressure. The updated plan estimates an average annual budget of about $2.16 million between 2025 and 2035, up 48 per cent from the previous estimate of $1.46 million.

Total projected spending over that period is estimated at more than $21.5 million, including about $5.3 million for maintenance and $16.3 million for replacements.

While maintenance work can extend the life of structures by 10 to 15 years, deferring tens of millions of dollars in replacement costs, those costs will return in future decades as assets continue to age.

The report recommends continued annual monitoring and routine inspections, along with a full update every five years on changing conditions, completed work and new data.

It also suggests the MD recore a selection of bridges with moderate condition ratings within the next few years to better understand deterioration rates and refine future planning.

To help offset costs, the report outlines potential funding sources including provincial infrastructure programs and environmental grants tied to watercourse crossings, though some programs are currently paused.