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McGuinty Government To Replace Bridge Overnight
OTTAWA, March 3 /CNW/ - Technology that can lift bridges weighing as much
as a fully loaded Boeing 747 will be used this summer to replace the Clyde
Avenue Bridge on Highway 417/Queensway in 17 hours.
The old bridge will be lifted away and replaced with a pre-constructed
bridge built off-site in a nearby location. As a result, traffic delays and
driver inconvenience will be reduced from two to three years to less than 24
hours.
The government awarded the $9.6-million contract to Dufferin Construction
of Oakville. Work will include replacing the existing concrete median barrier
and upgrading the Advanced Traffic Management System, which is used to advise
drivers of traffic delays.
QUOTES
"Replacing this bridge overnight will keep inconvenience to a minimum and
help people get home to their families instead of sitting in traffic jams,"
said Transportation Minister Jim Bradley.
"This new way of replacing the bridge is quicker. And it helps keep our
air clean because it reduces harmful fuel emissions produced by idling cars
held up by construction," said Ottawa West-Nepean MPP Jim Watson.
"This amazing piece of equipment will save commuters dozens of hours by
reducing traffic delays caused by traditional methods of construction," said
Ottawa Centre MPP Yasir Naqvi.
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QUICK FACTS
- More than 150,000 commuters and tourists and 6,000 trucks use the
Clyde Avenue Bridge everyday.
- In August 2007, the province used rapid replacement technology to
replace the Island Park Bridge on Highway 417/Queensway in a record-
breaking 15 hours.
- Since 2003, the McGuinty government has committed $6.3 billion in
highways, roads and bridges and invested $4.9 billion in public
transit.
- Rapid replacement technology is used effectively across Europe and the
United States.
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LEARN MORE
Read the Ontario government's five-year investment plan in highway
construction for Southern Ontario.
Learn more about rapid replacement technology.
Get up-to-date winter road condition information on major highways in the
area. You can also call the ministry's road information line at 416-235-4686,
or toll-free at 1-800-268-4686.
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ontario.ca/transportation-news
Disponible en français
>>
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For further information: Nicole Lippa-Gasparro, Minister's Office, (416) 327-1815; Bob Nichols, Communications Branch, (416) 327-1158
Également disponible en français
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