Removing a bridge can be a massive undertaking, but as with most projects, there is a lot more beneath the surface.
In the case of the removal and reconstruction of the Tower Street bridge in Fergus, the project is not just about the bridge, but the services provided beneath the bridge.
Construction manager Mark Eby, of engineering services, roads division, for Wellington County, explained there were two 90-ton cranes on site working to remove two of the support girders beneath the road deck on Feb. 28.
Though he was uncertain of the girder weight – each girder is roughly 40 metres long.
The cranes, connected to each end of the girder, lift it up and place it on the remaining bridge deck.
The construction company McLean Taylor, was to take the remaining concrete off the girder, unbolt them and then truck them off site.
Eby said the plan is to have the bridge replaced by Nov. 8. He explained the bridgework will be done in two halves.
He anticipated the first part of the removal and rebuild should be completed by July, then workers will start working on the other side of the deck.
“They have to completely build one side of the deck first. Then they will be able to take apart and rebuild the other side,” said Eby.
One of the main reasons for the phased approach is that the Tower Street bridge also supports a number of service lines, including a sanitary sewer main that services the entire north end of Fergus.
“It must remain in service throughout the entire construction process,” said Eby.
He added when the east side of the bridge is rebuilt, a new sanitary service will be put into place and the one on the west side of the bridge will be decommissioned.
Additional service lines also come into play, he said, noting there are water and gas mains on the east side of the bridge that will have to be relocated. He said the gas main will be shut off at the end of April and turned back on around Sept. 15.
“When people ask why this will take so long, there are numerous services underneath the bridge which have to be maintained, which is why this project is being done in two parts.”
Eby intends to conduct a question and answer session sometime in the next few weeks to provide more answers to residents.
