Ontario Construction News staff writer
AECOM Canada Ltd. has been awarded a $1.86 million contract to develop the design for a new bridge deck at the Burlington Canal Lift Bridge.
Work includes designing the lift span’s bridge deck, restoring approach spans and widening sidewalk areas to allow more space for pedestrians and cyclists to cross safely and also improve traffic flow.
PSPC plans on awarding a construction contract by late summer 2022, with construction anticipated to begin in winter 2023, and completed by summer/fall 2024.
“The Burlington Canal is an important route for both local and national transportation needs. These improvements to the Burlington Lift Bridge will help reduce gridlock, increase access for pedestrians and cyclists, and extend the lifespan of Bridge,” said Filomena Tassi, minister of public services and procurement.
The bridge structure is a tower driven, vertical lift and moveable bridge. The lift span is 116 metres long, weighs 1,996 tons, and has a vertical lift of 33.5 metres
At full lift height, maximum clearance for marine traffic is approximately 36.5 metres during typical water level conditions.
When locked in its lowered position, a clearance of approximately 5 metres, during typical water level conditions, allows very small pleasure craft, kayaks and canoes to pass easily beneath the bridge.
A system originating in the towers contains machinery, sheaves and wire ropes, moves the lift span. There is one 150 horsepower drive motor in each tower to supply power to the machinery and one 150 horsepower motor in each tower to synchronize the drive motors..
Changes will improve the overall operations of the bridge, ensuring the safety of bridge users for years to come. This project will provide a boost to the local economy and extend and maximize the life of the bridge by approximately 50 years for both the deck and sidewalk, and around 30 years for the approaches.
The Burlington Canal Lift Bridge, opened in 1962, is located on the western shore of Lake Ontario, on a site rich in history. Since 1830, five different moveable bridges were previously located on this site.
The current bridge was opened in 1962 and carried two lanes of vehicular traffic across the canal. This structure was originally designed to carry train tracks for the Hamilton — Northwestern railway. The train tracks were removed in 1982 and the roadway widened to four lanes.