Canada: Hay River Bridge Re-opened

This has now been achieved thanks to our local teams selected by the Government of the Northwest Territories in August 2018 to carry out this $12.8 million operation.

On the program:

- dismantling of the existing metal structure,

- partial demolition and reconstruction of abutments and piers, including new foundations and restoration of existing concrete surfaces

- construction of a new mixed deck

- excavation of access embankments.

Demolition of the existing structure began in December 2018 with the construction of a 1.40 m thick ice platform on the frozen river. The structure was then removed and abutments and piers were partially demolished and modified in the spring of 2019 to accommodate the new composite deck, completed in September 2019. The bridge was reopened to traffic on November 6, reconnecting the towns of Fort Smith, Fort Resolution and the Kátł'odeeche tribe.

This important milestone was successfully and safely completed, despite extreme working conditions due to the subarctic climate and the isolation of the project.

Minor work will be carried out in spring 2020, and the bridge will then be officially named by the Kátł'odeeche tribe, and renamed "Kátł'odeh Bridge", which means "Hay River" or "Herbeuse River" in the Slave language.

Photos Credit: Eiffage Génie Civil