Salt Lake City Public Lands is asking the public at large to avoid a portion of the Jordan River as crews continue working to extinguish a bridge fire that started late Thursday night.
The bridge continues to smolder due in part to waterproofing measures that were taken to originally protect it; the railroad ties that make up the bridge were soaked in creosote, and the waterproofing job was done so well, crews are unable to get water into all the portions of the ties that are burning.
Temporary floating booms have been installed to catch debris and any potential toxins falling off the bridge, which is located near the Gadsby Power Plant. Water is also being sampled every day to test for environmental risks.
Those booms have made the river impassable to canoes and kayaks between the Fisher Mansion and 700 North.
Salt Lake City Public Lands is planning to provide an update on Monday.
