The completion date for the Lord Selkirk Bridge construction project has been delayed.
Municipal officials say the project end date is now slated for November 12, 2019.
Officials say the delay is due to “additional bridge work needed.”
Sharing some information from Municipality of Chatham-Kent staff, Wallaceburg Councillor Aaron Hall said the rationale for this new completion date is “completely justified” due to extra work that is required above and beyond the contract requirements.
“The anticipated schedule to have one sidewalk open (east side) and all traffic lanes over the Lord Selkirk Bridge is November 15, 2019,” Hall posted to social media.
“The last update for this project identified October as the completion date.”
Hall said the end of James Street where it intersects with McNaughton Ave. will still be closed and have some trailers and staged supplies.
“Those items will be removed by November 22, 2019 when they completely demobilize; but traffic will be operating normally on McNaughton Ave and the Lord Selkirk Bridge during that time,” he said.
As for financial impacts, all of the extra works associated with these delays are budgeted through the project’s contingency which Council approved, Hall said.
“That is the purpose of contingencies as it covers unforeseen extras that come up on projects,” Hall posted.
The rehabilitation project for the bridge 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.
A staff report indicates 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.
