New Gellatly Bridge Opens On Schedule

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 01, 2020

The first cars crossed the new Gellatly Bridge over Powers Creek as the modernized infrastructure opened to the public on time and within budget.

Bridge replacement construction began in January, and despite minor service changes during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, the project finished on schedule and incurred no cost overruns. Along with the opening of the bridge, Rotary Trails Park and parking lot, which crews used for a construction staging area, have also reopened.

“During these unprecedented times, I am grateful to share some good news with our residents and businesses as we reopen a key corridor along our City’s spectacular waterfront,” says Mayor Gord Milsom. “The replacement of this aging bridge was one of Council’s priorities and we are excited to see it completed.”

The new bridge is a 14-metre long precast concrete girder bridge on cast-in-place concrete abutments, founded on 10 steel-pipe piles. The structure has a life expectancy of 75 years. The new span features an added sidewalk on the upstream side of the bridge and includes dedicated cycling lanes. The old wooden deck, which required routine maintenance, has been replaced with a far more durable asphalt surface. Another key component of the project was adding resiliency to withstand the effects of climate change. In 2017 and 2018, flooding significantly impacted the structure, forcing a full closure of the bridge. The design incorporates a much higher elevation capable of accommodating 1-in-200-year flows of Powers Creek.

“We thank the contractor and its crews for excellent and efficient work,” says Allen Fillion, Director of Engineering and Public Works. “This was an important and necessary upgrade as the old bridge had foundations that were over 100 years old and the structure had reached the end of its useful life.”

Crews will return to the site to complete in-stream work in August to avoid disruption to fish habitat. This phase includes the final installation of channel rip rap and embankment protection. Minor delays to vehicle traffic may occur for about two weeks, if required, but pedestrian/cyclist access is expected to be maintained.

The City will provide further details this summer, closer to the next construction start date.

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