Victoria, B.C. - An electrical problem with the Johnson Street Bridge left the road portion of the span stuck in the open position for about 35 minutes and caused traffic tie-ups Tuesday afternoon.

Just before 2 p.m., the main span rose partially to let a boat pass, and then stopped. The rail portion of the bridge rose fully and was also stuck.

The road portion was lowered when a city worker climbed high in the raised superstructure to start a backup motor. The rail side, which has its own backup motor, remained in the air while city workers waited for a B.C. Hydro crew to arrive. It stayed up for about 90 minutes, and was down in plenty of time to accommodate a Via Rail train due about 6 p.m.

The sailing vessel was eventually able to make its way through.

Full power was restored to the bridge about 5:30 p.m., although there were still issues with some of the traffic signals.

A 2009 analysis of the bridge’s condition concluded its mechanical, electrical and braking systems are wearing out and might last only until 2012, said Coun. John Luton, standing under the rusty, raised underbelly of the rail span.

“The condition assessment said the electrical system is approaching the drop-dead date,” he said. “This is like the bridge nudging us, saying, ‘I’m not going to last much longer.’

“It’s a disaster in slow motion.”

The 85-year-old bridge has been the subject of considerable debate over whether it should be replaced or refurbished. A city plan to borrow $42 million as part of a $63-million replacement project led to 9,800 people signing petitions demanding a referendum on the move — a number that reached the threshold of 10 per cent of eligible voters needed to force a vote.

Last month, Victoria council voted unanimously to spend $840,000 for a comparison of the replacement and refurbishment options.

Mike Lai, the city’s assistant director of engineering and project manager of the Johnson Street Bridge initiative, said the bridge’s electrical system was known to be in poor condition.

Still, Tuesday's power failure appeared to be a first. “I’m not aware of it happening before. This is not a common occurrence.”

The bridge is raised and lowered three to six times a day to allow tall sea vessels to pass. “I don’t believe it’s changed the city’s position,” Lai said. “The bridge continues to be safe.”

City spokeswoman Katie Josephson said a more complete explanation of what happened should be available Wednesday.

— With a file from Jack Knox

jwbell@tc.canwest.com