New technology saves P.E.I. taxpayers $100,000 on bridge project

CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — For the primary time because it expanded to 4 lanes in 1997, the bridge that connects Charlottetown and Stratford is getting a contemporary coat of asphalt.

SaltWire Community spoke to Transportation Minister James Aylward on the Hillsborough Bridge on July 7 the place he stated the concrete span has had patchwork accomplished to it over the previous quarter century, but this project will add years of reliability to the construction.

“That is the primary time that our engineers have truly been capable of examine the concrete deck since … 1997,’’ Aylward stated as autos within the adjoining 4 lanes made their approach throughout. “Primarily, we have now milled the asphalt off after which we scraped the rubber membrane that goes down below the asphalt, which lies between the asphalt and the concrete deck, in order that we might examine the concrete deck.’’

The minister stated his division was a bit nervous about what, if any, faults the engineers would discover on the concrete deck.

The information was good. Just some minor patching was required – work that can happen this week, between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. 

As soon as that’s completed, the bridge will probably be able to be resurfaced.

Nevertheless, Aylward stated the province is taking a distinct method than typical in relation to this paving job.

“We’re not placing a rubber membrane down once more. We’re utilizing a distinct expertise that our engineers checked out over in New Brunswick the place it’s been used for quite a few years.’’

Stephen Yeo, the division’s chief engineer, stated crews will probably be placing down a water-resistant membrane that creates a a lot stronger stiffness than what’s used on typical roads.

Yeo added the waterproof combination is definitely decreasing the venture price by $100,000, and it means the highway floor will final for much longer.

Aylward stated saving cash was icing on the cake.

“The very last thing we would like is the concrete to be launched to water as a result of the rebar within the concrete, sooner or later, will begin to rust and that’s whenever you get deterioration,’’ the minister stated.

Aylward stated subsequent week, crews will probably be placing down the membrane earlier than laying the brand new asphalt. The work is scheduled to be accomplished between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m., July 12-13, climate pending.

Yeo stated if the division had gone the standard approach and put down the standard rubber membrane it will have taken as much as every week to finish as a result of the product wants 24 hours to settle earlier than asphalt is laid on prime or site visitors can drive on it.

And, it will have meant closing two lanes of the bridge throughout that point. 

“It’s unimaginable to do this,’’ Yeo stated, mentioning that crews couldn’t have accomplished the work within the 12-hour timeframe they’re working with.

On this case, the bridge will probably be restricted to 2 lanes between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. on July 12-13, however Aylward stated the influence on site visitors will probably be so much simpler than going the standard route.

This work was initially scheduled to be accomplished in 2021 as a part of the division’s work on the energetic transportation paved pathway, however that venture prolonged too late into the season to make placing down waterproof asphalt potential.

“We’d like a sure temperature, particularly once we’re doing work at evening,’’ Aylward stated. “If (the temperature) will get too cool, you simply can’t work with it. We now have a brief building season right here in P.E.I., and it coincides with a busy vacationer season. It could be nice to do all the things year-round, however we have to do the work when the temperatures allow.’’

Stratford highway work

Work can also be persevering with on the Trans-Canada Freeway between Stratford Highway and Kinlock Highway. The division is putting in a roundabout that can join the freeway with a brand new highway that has been constructed off Glen Stewart Drive and MacKinnon Drive.

Aylward stated the aim of the venture is to take care of growth that’s anticipated to happen in Stratford.

“The Grey Group personal nearly all of vacant land in Stratford … they usually have large growth plans. What we’re going to see from the (Nimrods) nook as much as Sobeys is condo buildings being constructed with retail house on the bottom stage. We’re working with the Grey Group to make sure that we have now correct site visitors movement all through the city of Stratford because the city actually begins to develop.’’

Aylward stated he desires to remind motorists that whereas highway work is being accomplished, the pace restrict on the Trans-Canada Freeway has been dropped from 70 km/h to 50 km/h as a result of pavement has been milled and the floor is uneven.

“We now have large digital indicators alongside the freeway and signage warning individuals of building forward and to count on uneven highway surfaces. It’s no totally different than any building website. You must drive to the situations.’’

Aylward added that paving crews are attempting to fill pot holes created by rain and site visitors as finest they’ll.

Challenge prices

Following is how a lot the province is spending on two main initiatives within the Charlottetown space:

• Laying down a water-resistant membrane and resurfacing the Hillsborough Bridge will price $450,000. The expertise and materials used to make the waterproof membrane reduces the price of the venture by $100,000.

• The brand new roads and roundabout in Stratford, in addition to highway work on the Trans-Canada Freeway, will price between $5.3 million and $5.5 million.