November 16, 2022
Our AIL Group sister company, Algonquin Bridge, designed and supplied a temporary detour bridge system that the Prince Edward Island Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (the Department) has used twice over the last few years. The most recent deployment of the reusable system was a 134.2 m set-up with a cantilevered walkway on Route 2 at Morell River.
Modular Bridge Systems available for sale or rent
Algonquin Modular Bridge Systems are the perfect solution for construction detour bridges and other temporary or permanent applications. These modern iterations of the classic “Bailey Bridge” design are available in single or multiple lane widths and a variety of loading configurations. Algonquin’s detour bridges offer fast and easy installation with limited downtime and a solution to suit every budget.
Modular Bridge System was previously used at Hunter River
The Department purchased this Algonquin Modular Bridge System a few years ago and first used it as a temporary detour bridge for a similar project at Hunter River. When that project was completed, the system was dismantled, trucked to Morell, reassembled and installed on the prepared concrete abutments. We have since supplied additional system components and they are now deployed as a 91.45 m bridge at Bayview.
The Department sees the benefits of the reusable bridge systems
In a CBC News article on the earlier Hunter River project, a Department official offered some favourable comments on the Province’s use of Algonquin’s Modular Bridge Systems:
“They’re in panels of 10 feet, so the span’s adjustable and we’ll certainly reuse them for the next 25, 30 years,” said provincial bridge engineer Neil Lawless. “We have several of these bridges in storage now.”
Lawless noted that the reusable bridge is more environmentally friendly than the temporary wooden structures that are normally built for a bridge replacement. They function like building blocks and can be tailored to the desired size for a particular need.
“We can span directly over the water course and try and minimize the impact on the environment without driving piles into the water,” he said. “Also, it’s reusable so we’re saving money … more cost-effective, and it’s quicker to install.”
Excellent emergency bridge solutions, too
These pre-engineered replacement bridge systems are ideally suited to the fast replacement of damaged bridges or bridge washouts and have proven themselves many times in emergency situations. Local teams with minimal experience can easily assemble these emergency replacement bridges on-site, and they can be either lifted into place or cantilever launched from one side.
CBC News article on Morell River bridge replacement project >>
