A deteriorating piece of North Bay roadway infrastructure is finally getting a major overhaul.
Tackling the repairs to the Lakeshore Drive overpass was a major priority for David Euler, the city’s managing director of engineering, environmental and works.
“We’ve had it on our list for a few years.”
The overpass, which crosses the CP train tracks, was built in 1965 and carries 29,800 vehicles across the span daily.
With the project consultation team taking a final examination of the structure, Euler expects the total reconstruction costs to be in the $4 million to $4.5 million range.
Just days before a federal election was called, Ottawa announced $1.5 million for the project which will extend the life of the bridge by an estimated 25 to 30 years, according to Euler.
The province is expected to formally match those dollars at a later date.
Euler classifies the structure as being in “poor condition” as evidenced by some concrete spalling that was falling onto a pedestrian path.
“We had to do some remedial work. It’s kind of a symptom of problems on the upper deck and how water is draining.”
Euler said the problems date back to the bridge’s original design, which doesn’t provide for proper drainage from the deck. Water seeps into the cracks in the concrete and freezes, resulting in chunks eventually falling off. Those design issues will be addressed.
The reconstruction effort involves installing new decking with asphalt, sidewalks, guard rails, light standards, and most importantly, making major repairs to the substructure.
The overpass last underwent rehabilitation in 1990. These latest repairs should expand its life by 25 to 30 years, said Euler.
He expects the project will go to tender in early 2016 with repairs to be complete by next fall.
“We’ve redone the deck and lots of Band-Aid things over the years,” said Euler. “Over the last few years, we had light standards taken down because it was becoming unsafe.”
Sidewalks have deteriorated to the point of becoming tripping hazards, and there are severely delaminated areas on piers, columns and caps.
Progressive deterioration has occurred at the base of light posts, at the approach barriers and to the steel coating, with corrosion to the abutment bearings and girder ends.
Euler said the city considered replacing the overpass, but building a new structure was priced at almost $13 million.
“At first we thought the repairs were going to be more in the $8-million range and we did look at just replacing it,” said Euler. “The problem is it’s really our only main artery into West Ferris and to shut it down completely for that length of time was something that we couldn’t possibly do.”
One challenge for the engineering group will be to keep the overpass open to traffic while making repairs.
“There will need to be times when we need to shut the structure down or arrange to do things at night when traffic is low,” said Euler. “We’ll try to make our best effort to keep lanes open.”
