Major bridge projects underway in Lanark County
The County of Lanark is undertaking two major bridge rehabilitation projects this year, with an additional two in the planning stages for 2010.
ConCreate USL Ltd. has started a major rehabilitation of the MacLan Bridge in Almonte, with completion scheduled for Aug. 19 at a cost of $620,000.
“The county was successful in getting a Building Canada Fund Communities Component grant for this project,” explains Steve Allan, county public works director. “The provincial and federal governments cover two-thirds of the cost.”
The bridge was built in 1982 and this midlife rehabilitation is expected to extend its life by 50 years. It consists of repairing the expansion joints, approaches, concrete abutments and the sidewalk; replacing bearings underneath (which allow the bridge to expand and contract with weather conditions); repairing the concrete bridge deck and paving. The existing railing will be removed and then reinstalled.
Mr. Allan says the decision was made during the planning process and after a public information centre to close the bridge during construction. This, he says, is for accessibility, timing and safety reasons.
“With the bridge closed the contractor is better able to get the work done for less money and in less time,” he said. “This is particularly important because we know there are several festivals taking place throughout the summer and into the fall, so the idea was to pick a period when we could get in and out within 100 days without affecting all of them.”
Mississippi Mills Mayor Al Lunney says the county and contractor are taking into account the bridge’s location near Almonte’s historic town hall and they aim to complete the work as quickly and efficiently as possible. “This facility has multiple uses, such as for weddings and recitals, and the county is working with town staff and affected businesspeople to minimize the effect of the construction on events and businesses,” he said.
Closing the bridge also improves contractor and public safety by minimizing travel through a construction zone. The bridge will remain open to pedestrians throughout the construction, but vehicular traffic will be rerouted via Ottawa Street.
“The contractors will be especially diligent to ensure no debris enters the river,” Mr. Allan adds. “This is being coordinated with Mississippi Valley Conservation.” Almonte’s water main and sewer line cross the bridge and will be properly protected to ensure service continues.
The second project is McIlquhams Bridge, built in 1964 and located on Cty. Rd. 15 at Mal’s Campground in Drummond/North Elmsley Township. Dalcon Enterprises has started the $670,000 project and is slated to complete it Aug. 5.
Except for a full closure May 20 to 22 to allow for the replacement of bearings under the bridge, one lane will remain open throughout the construction period. A public boat launch on the southeast side of the bridge is unaffected.
This midlife rehabilitation will address deteriorating pavement, and an obsolete barrier system will be replaced with an open railing system similar to the bridge at Fergusons Falls. Other work includes replacing the approach barrier system to meet current standards, installing new bearings and repairing concrete. Portable traffic signals purchased by the county last year will guide vehicles through the single lane.
“The work on this bridge is expected to add another 50 years to its life,” says Aubrey Churchill, Drummond/North Elmsley Reeve. “We expect traffic disruptions from this rehabilitation will be minimal since one lane will remain open.”
Two other bridge projects are in the planning stages for 2010. The Clydesville Bridge at Clydesville on Cty. Rd. 511 in Lanark Highlands requires major rehabilitation, including deck and curb repairs and upgrades of safety barriers. The estimated cost is $1.3 million, and the county has submitted this project for the second phase of the Building Canada Fund Communities Component grant.
Mr. Allan says one lane would remain open during construction on this bridge, which was built in 1966.
A public meeting about this bridge is scheduled for June 18 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Lanark Highlands municipal office to seek input on the project, which is subject to budget approval in 2010.
The other major bridge project for 2010 is at Glen Isle, which provides the only access to the island straddling Mississippi Mills and Beckwith Township and serves 80 residences. It is a steel truss, single-lane bridge built in 1935 and moved from Galetta to Glen Isle in the early 1950s to replace a previous bridge at that site.
“We’re developing options now for replacement of that bridge,” Mr. Allan explained. “The most likely option is to use the existing abutments, which are still in good condition, and replace the bridge with a pre-engineered one. That process would take about a month.”
Mr. Allan says the focus of current research and public consultation for the next three or four months is to determine the best method to deal with access to the island during the month of construction. “We’re looking for something affordable that meets all the requirements for the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and environmental issues. Options for access will be the focus of a public information centre to be held sometime in the fall.”
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