LEA Consulting Ltd.’s Civil and Structures Practice Areas will be working together on the replacement of the Groundhog River Bridge in Fauquier, Ontario on Highway 11.
One of the largest bridges in Northern Ontario, the existing 80-year-old Groundhog River Bridge is a steel truss bridge spanning a total of 180m. The structure is currently in poor-to-fair condition and is approaching the end of its service life, with several fatigue prone details and truss members that have reached the end of their lifecycle.
The new replacement bridge will be a four-span 190m long, two lane, 14.5m wide structure constructed on a new northerly alignment. The bridge will comprise of haunched steel girders with a concrete deck and opening barrier railing to improve aesthetics of the crossing.
The Civil Practice Area will be working on the new alignment of the bridge and the stormwater management design, while LEA’s Structural team will complete the design of a new bridge and culvert.
The construction of this project is expected to take place over two (2) construction seasons. No detour structure will be required, and drivers travelling on Highway 11 will be uninterrupted as the existing bridge will carry two lanes of traffic during construction of the new structure. Once completed, the updated Groundhog River Bridge will provide a new and improved vital connection for Northern Ontario communities for many years to come.