InfraStructures - March 2022 - Acrow Bridge Enables Emergency Access in British Columbia’s Fraser Canyon

Acrow Bridge Enables Emergency Access in British Columbia’s Fraser Canyon

Acrow recently reported that one of its modular steel bridges had been installed to provide temporary traffic access on Highway 1 in the Fraser Canyon, in British Columbia. The bridge replaces a section of road damaged during heavy rains in November 2021.

Much of British Columbia was impacted by flooding caused by the extreme weather events, and Highway 1 had particularly significant damage. At Jackass Mountain, a large 3-lane section of the road was destroyed by a landslide. This and other closures and disruptions were of particular concern as Highway 1 is the main route of the Trans-Canada Highway through the province and a vital route for commerce and area residents.

The British Columbia Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (BC MoTI) was able to quickly open many of the damaged sections of the highway or reroute traffic with detours. This was not possible at the Jackass Mountain location so BC MoTI and contractor Coquitlam Ridge Constructors Ltd. opted to use a modular steel bridge from Acrow to restore traffic flow as quickly and safely as possible until options for a permanent solution could be considered. With decades of experience in restoring infrastructure under emergency conditions, Acrow’s deep technical expertise coupled with its strong commitment to comprehensive service excellence ensures a successful installation under the most difficult conditions.

The site has extremely steep terrain and carries the risk of further geotechnical hazards, requiring a complex design and construction process to ensure worker safety and the success of the project. At the same time, it was mandatory that environmental and cultural protocols were considered and followed at every stage of the restoration work.

The single-lane Acrow bridge selected for the project is 79.25 m long with a roadway width of 4.2 m and a TL-2 guardrail system. Extensive site preparation included stabilization work and road and bank reconstruction ahead of the launch of the temporary bridge, which occurred on January 5, 2022, with a partial launching nose and the assistance of a crane. Although record snowfalls and avalanches delayed work at the site, the bridge officially opened to traffic on January 24.

“Acrow bridges are easily transported to the most difficult locations, and quickly and easily built and installed, making them ideal for emergency applications,” said Gordon Scott, director of Operations and Sales, Acrow Canada. “With in-stock components available for immediate delivery, Acrow bridges provide a safe, economical and reliable solution to rapidly restore damaged infrastructure.”

Source: Acrow

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