Bridge engineers Acrow have designed and supplied a modular steel bridge to maintain vehicular traffic and enable marine vessel access following the demolition of a bascule bridge at the LaSalle Causeway in Kingston.

Public Services and Procurement Canada, which owns and operates the causeway, opted to use a modular bridge to accommodate vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists. The design and durability of the structure allows for its periodic removal and reinstallation to open the navigation channel.

Acrow’s bridge was provided to Priestly Demolition, which was responsible for installation.

The single-span structure is 48.8 metres long and has a two-lane width of 7.3 metres. A cantilevered footwalk, 1.5 meters wide, separates pedestrians from vehicular traffic.

Components began arriving at the site in mid-August, and the bridge was assembled on rollers while the existing abutments were modified to suit the modular structure.

The bridge was launched on September 20, and opened to traffic on October 3. The first removal and reinstallation sequence took place on October 15 and provided a window for vessels to access the city’s inner harbor. To do so, the bridge was hoisted off its bearings onto a barge, which was then moved away from the navigation channel. To reinstall the structure, the process was reversed, and the crossing reopened for vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists.

“Acrow’s rugged modular steel bridge proved an ideal solution for this interesting project,” said Betul Oliver, Business Development Manager, Eastern Canada. “The bridge was easily adapted for this unique and innovative application, which safely maintains the route for vehicles while providing scheduled accommodation for marine vessels.”