City of Saskatoon installs fence to deter University Bridge encampments – Saskatoon [Video]

In the past, University Bridge has been a popular spot for Saskatoon’s homeless to camp beneath.

However, an encampment fire on Jan. 19 melted a sewer line running beneath the bridge, sending thousands of gallons of raw sewage onto the bridge and into the river valley below.

The incident closed the bridge to traffic for days while the sewer line was repaired, though the damage to the Meewasin River trails is still being cleared. With the damaged sewer line repaired, the city is looking to keep future encampments out from under the crossing.

At a city council meeting on Jan. 29th, the city announced its plans to erect a razor-wire fence below the bridge where encampments might be set up.

Saskatoon Mayor Cynthia Block says the decision was made from concern for the bridge’s safety, as well as council’s focus on tackling the homeless crisis.

“The ability to keep our …