Chatham-Kent is moving forward with the rehabilitation of the Lord Selkirk Bridge in Wallaceburg.
Council approved a $754,871.64 consulting contract on Monday night to AECOM Canada Ltd. for the design, drawings, inspections and construction administration for the project.
Jason Cikatricis, an engineering technologist with the Municipality, said in a report the project is being conducted to “remove the load posting and return it to full traffic loading”, according to the Canadian Highway Bridge Design Code.
“The rehabilitation involves structural, mechanical, and electrical repairs which will allow this structure to continue to operate as a moveable bridge while achieving the overall goal of removal of the load posting,” Cikatricis said.
It is anticipated the design will be completed, tendered and awarded for construction by September of next year, Cikatricis said in his report.
“The approximate start of construction would be in October 2018 and completed by spring/summer of 2019,” he said.
“This construction timeline is chosen to minimize any impacts during navigational season in the Sydenham River. It is anticipated that full closure of the structure will be required for a portion of the contract.”
Cikatricis said these timelines will be shared with both council and the public before going to tender.
A traffic impact study is included in the scope of work, in order to manage traffic flows on surrounding roads once the bridge is closed to all traffic, Cikatricis said in his report.
In a telephone interview, Cikatricis told the Sydenham Current the work to the bridge won’t be a complete reconstruction, but would be “an extensive rehabilitation.
“There will be a significant amount of work completed,” he said.
Cikatricis said it is “still too early” to know what the cost will be of the actual rehabilitation.
AECOM Canada Ltd. would help help determine the “approximate construction estimate” as part of their contract, Cikatricis said.
Seeking $3 million from province
As reported back in October, the Municipality is looking to obtain upwards to $3 million in provincial funding to go toward the Lord Selkirk Bridge rehabilitation project.
It was determined by staff that fixing up the bridge along McNaughton Avenue, between James Street and Wallace Street over the Sydenham River, was the project that was “best suited for submission” under the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) Connecting Links Program, as it has been load posted since November 2016.
Staff have submitted the application to the MTO.
The maximum amount of funding available is up to 90% of project costs or $3 million, whichever is lower, a staff report says.
“The infrastructure funding program requires municipalities to show how proposed projects fit within a comprehensive Asset Management Plan,” said Adam Sullo, director of engineering and transportation, in a staff report.
“The Asset Management Plan that was developed for the Municipality of Chatham-Kent in 2013 positions the Municipality favourably to demonstrate that projects proposed are their top priorities and that the full range of local infrastructure financing tools have been explored.”
Sullo said in his report any additional funding above the $3 million would be funded from the Bridge Lifecycle Budget.
Background on the bridge
Sullo told the Sydenham Current during an interview in October of last year that corrosion is to blame for the load restriction being implemented on the bridge.
“The Lord Selkirk Bridge receives a lot of heavy truck traffic,” Sullo said.
“It also is exposed to the elements. We’re seeing a loss of strength on the floor beams of the structure.”
The corroded area had been replaced once before, back in the 1970’s, Sullo said.
Cikatricis said in his report the bridge was built in 1950.
He said the bridge has an annual average daily traffic volume of 19,100, with truck volumes accounting for 25 to 50 per cent of the total traffic.
– Photo credit: Aaron Hall
