The rehabilitation project for the Lord Selkirk Bridge in Wallaceburg received unanimous approval from Chatham-Kent Council on Monday, December 17.
A tender in the amount of $5.3-million was awarded to Landform Civil Infrastructures Inc.
Staff said in a report 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 current load posting, which has been in place since November of 2016.
Staff said the project is set to begin in January and is to be completed by the end of August next year.
However, Chris Thibert, director of engineering and transportation, said one of the two spans will be operable for navigation season in the water.
There is an “additional term of the contract to ensure that the bridge was fully accessible for both vehicular and pedestrian traffic for WAMBO,” Thibert said.
“That was in fact a term in the conditions set forward in the report and in the contract that WAMBO is a very important event and we are trying to ensure that we accommodate that event.”
Staff says the road will remain open until it is closed for the duration of the project and a detour for large trucks will be in place.
Temporary signals will be installed at the intersection of Reaume Avenue and Murray Street as part of the local traffic detour.
Staff says the contract consists of:
– Rehabilitation / replacement of various structural steel components.
– Rehabilitation of existing concrete abutments, concrete wing-walls, concrete deck and asphalt wearing surface
– Rehabilitation / replacement of steel barriers
– Balance Bridge counterweights
– Rework of the Main Pinion support to correct gear tooth meshing.
– Adjust span lock machinery
– Adjust rear span stops to align leaf tips and other maintenance items.
– Replace Control console, replace various controls
– Replace PLC, replace two leaf drive VFD’s, replace high speed wireless radio transmitter/receiver equipment.
– Install replacement limit switches (rockers, jacks and tail locks); uninterruptible power supply (UPS)
– Install diesel generator set and automatic transfer switch.
Staff said in a report this rehabilitation will provide approximately 25 years of service.
At that point in time, another rehabilitation of the same magnitude will likely be possible.
A completely replaced structure, at a value of approximately $21,000,000, will provide 75 years of
service with a major rehabilitation at approximately 38 years.
The bridge structure is part of the MTO Connecting Link roadway network and received $3-million in funding to assist with the rehabilitation.
The remainder of the project costs came from the Bridge Lifecycle Reserve.
