Sir Ambrose Shea Lift Bridge officially opens
By On-Site Magazine
Bridges Construction Infrastructure Roads Bird bridge lift bridge roads trestles Vancouver
H.J. O’Connell, a division of Bird, was the lead in a joint venture with Vancouver Pile Driving Ltd. in the construction of the new vertical lift bridge in Placentia, Newfoundland and Labrador. The scope of work consisted of replacing the Sir Ambrose Shea lift bridge, realigning the adjacent roadway Route 100 and the removal of the existing bridge upon completion of the new bridge.
Work consisted of building two 58 metre long temporary trestles with 600 millimetre pipe piles and a deck to enable a 150 ton crawler crane to construct the two new central piers deep in the Placentia Bay. The new lift bridge consists of 9,290 metres of 325 millimetre pipe piling; 2,200 square metres of sheet pile used as a cofferdam; 4,100 cubic metres of concrete; 1,000 tons of structural steel; and the mechanical and electrical components to allow the central lift span to open for the shipping lane through the narrow water channel.
On Friday, September 23, the nearly $50-million bridge officially opened for vehicle and marine traffic in Placentia. Premier Dwight Ball and other officials were on hand for the ceremony, christening the bridge in a motorcade.
Congratulations to the entire team in achieving this important project milestone!
