Michael Lewis
Special to Ontario Construction News
A temporary modular bridge that will allow vehicular, cyclist and pedestrian traffic to once again cross Kingston’s LaSalle Causeway after the century old Bascule Bridge was damaged during repair work in March is to be completed and operational by Sept. 30.
Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) in an update said the main marine navigation channel will close Sept. 19 for the installation of the temporary bridge, which has been delivered and assembled and will be in use until construction of a permanent replacement bridge is complete.
PSPC’s contractor, Priestly Demolitions Inc., is doing preparatory work that has included load testing and modifications to bearing seats to support the new structure, the project website video says. It says the rented replacement bridge was assembled with components that meet requirements of the temporary installation.
The main marine navigation channel is to reopen to marine traffic on Oct. 15 from noon to 9 pm and on Nov. 16 during the same hours. Over these periods the temporary bridge will be removed allowing unrestricted marine traffic. Public notices will be issued in advance, PSPC said in a statement.
The LaSalle Causeway’s Bascule Bridge was damaged during repair work on March 30, with PSPC’s analysis showing that key elements of the bridge structure were significantly damaged and unrepairable.
Despite the federal government’s assurances that repairs of the bridge were progressing, it was determined that the bridge had to be removed entirely including the lift span, counterweight truss, trunnions and pins, support tower and mechanical, electrical, and related components.
The demolition began in early June with contractors using cranes, torch-cutting equipment and excavators, with a large barge under the bridge to act as a work platform and to catch debris.
The old bridge was removed by June 20 allowing boats and other marine vessels to resume travel through the main navigation channel while land traffic remained disrupted.
The temporary modular bridge is a two-lane prefabricated truss bridge that will accommodate unrestricted vehicle traffic and include a separate sidewalk. The bridge will sit on the existing abutments of the previous bridge.
The design of the temporary modular bridge allows removal and re-installation to allow marine vessels to pass through the navigation channel.
Minister for Public Services and Procurement Canada Jean-Yves Duclos said the demolition needed to be done as quickly as possible to accelerate the ability for vehicles to begin crossing to the other side.
“We know how important that bridge is for the community,” Duclos said.
The federally owned bridge spans the Great Cataraqui River where it meets the St. Lawrence River. It connects drivers and pedestrians in the east end of Kingston to downtown. The long-term closure has prevented several vessels on the Cataraqui side from accessing the St. Lawrence.
