Takin’ care of bridges: BTO name floated for city span

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This article was published 22/05/2024 (528 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A Winnipeg city councillor says when it comes to the Disraeli Bridge, you ain’t seen nothin’ yet.

Coun. Ross Eadie is leading a motion to temporarily rename the bridge — which connects downtown Winnipeg, over the city’s Red River, to Elmwood — the Bachman-Turner Overdrive Bridge.

“It’s recognizing Randy Bachman, who contributed to the music scene in Winnipeg and put it on the map. Everybody knew where Winnipeg was because of the Guess Who, because of Bachman-Turner Overdrive,” Eadie said by phone Wednesday.

Randy Bachman, a former Winnipegger, founded Bachman-Turner Overdrive with his brothers, Robbie and Tim Bachman, along with Fred Turner. Bachman formed the band after splitting from the Guess Who.

Eadie said the name will recognize the Bachman brothers and Turner, who was also from Winnipeg.

He hopes it will be also serve as a magnet for tourism and foster pride in the city’s cultural heritage, he said.

“I think it’s important we honour our local musicians.”

The Mynarski councillor submitted the motion to the Lord Selkirk-West Kildonan Community committee, where it will be officially presented during a meeting next week before being referred for further consideration. The honorary title will be contingent on full council approval.

If approved, the infrastructure would retain the honorary title for five years.

Funding for the application would come from the Mynarski ward’s allowance — the neighbourhood where Bachman grew up. The cost of signage for the name change would be split by allowances from the Mynarski and St. Norbert Seine River wards.

Discussions about renaming the bridge have been ongoing for nearly two years with support from other council members, Eadie said.

The bridge is named after Benjamin Disraeli, who was prime minister of the United Kingdom from 1874–1880.

A spokesperson for Randy Bachman said he was unavailable to comment Wednesday.

The rocker is aware of the motion and says to let it ride, Eadie said.

“It’s all cleared and Randy is good with it,” he said. “Fred Turner is grateful, too. It’s recognizing his contribution.”

tyler.searle@freepress.mb.ca