McIntosh Perry was retained by the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) to provide detail design services for the replacement of the Bayfield River Bridge in Clinton, Ontario. The existing structure was a 32.5m, two-span concrete tee-beam structure built in 1931. The preliminary design (by others) called for the replacement with a new two-span structure due to hydraulic concerns. This presented an environmental challenge, as the watercourse was known habitat for species-at-risk mussels. At the beginning of the detailed design, McIntosh Perry undertook a review of the preliminary design options, and was able to review and refine the design. The proposed replacement was a new single-span, 40m steel box girder structure which removed the environmental concerns of in-water work associated with a two-span structure.
Long-term full closures of the road were not acceptable due to long detours in the area. McIntosh Perry designed the structure in such a way that allowed a “Get-In, Get-Out” (GiGo) approach, using accelerated bridge construction techniques. The new structure was pre-constructed in supermodules at a nearby site without impact to traffic. The Contractor was allowed a fixed number of nights which they could fully close the road to use cranes to remove the existing bridge, as well as placing the supermodules. This construction method allowed the construction duration to be reduced from 2 years to 1 year, greatly reducing the impact to traffic and the residents.
Due to widened structure, realignment, and nearby construction staging area for the supermodules, McIntosh Perry had a significant amount of liaison and coordination with utilities companies. Utilities such as Bell Canada that were in the bridge, and Hydro One which was aerial next to the bridge, were relocated further from the structure. Bell directionally drilled under the river, while Hydro One moved their lines to be sufficiently away the construction zone. Other utilities, such as Union Gas, were present at the site, but were left in place and necessary protections were put in place for the Contractor to adhere to.
Other services provided included roads and highway engineering services, transportation and traffic engineering design, environmental studies, geotechnical investigation, material testing and pavement structure design. This was a Environmental Class EA Group C project, which included designing around the protections of SAR mussels and protected bird species. Netting of the structure was completed to prevent nesting, while a bird kiosk was constructed on-site
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