Special to Ontario Construction News
GHD has been awarded the prime consultant role for both the Lewiston-Queenston Bridge and Rainbow Bridge rehabilitation projects.
The contract for refurbishment of the two connections crossing the Niagara River Gorge linking New York State and Ontario to extend their serviceable life was awarded to project management consultant GHD by project owner the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission (NFBC), GHD said in a statement.
GHD will oversee design, administration, and contract inspection, partnering with bridge construction and preservation experts Greenman-Pedersen Incorporated (GPI) to deliver the work. The project contractor has not yet been selected.
The Lewiston-Queenston Bridge and Rainbow Bridge have served as vital economic trade routes for more than 60 years. But over the years, the humid conditions of the Niagara Gorge have resulted in early signs of corrosion on the bridges’ skewback connections.
The Lewiston–Queenston Bridge, a 486-metre-long arch structure that spans the gorge just south of the Niagara Escarpment, was officially opened on November 1, 1962. The bridge is a twin of the Rainbow Bridge designed by Richard (Su Min) Lee. The first Queenston-Lewiston Bridge was a suspension bridge built in 1851 and knocked down by wind a few years later while a second suspension bridge was dismantled in 1963 after the current bridge was completed.
GHD and NFBC say they aim to optimize asset life cycle costs, extend their operational lifespans, and ensure seamless traffic and goods flow across the border. GHD says there will be no interruptions to the flow of traffic and goods across the border. Work is to start in 2024 with expected completion in 2025.
“The collaborative approach brought to the table by the GHD team and NFBC has resulted in a highly innovative design process,” said Mark Torrie, Ontario transportation engineering leader at GHD. “The rehabilitation scheme being put in place will address present-day concerns and significantly reduce future structure rehabilitation needs.”
Accessing the two structures presents significant challenges due to steep embankments and the swiftly moving waters of the Niagara River below. Workers will strip corroded coatings from under the decks of the two international bridges including from 3-inch diameter anchor bolts, which are fixed and cannot be readily replaced. The work will require a meticulous coating and reassembly process designed to keep the structures in service during the rehabilitation work.
“NFBC’s selection of GHD underscores the team’s proven track record of delivering exceptional bridge work in the region,” added Torrie. “GHD’s team is committed to meticulous planning to ensure the safety and efficiency of the works despite restricted access areas.”