Ontario Construction News staff writer
Construction work is starting on the estimated $2.5 million Black Bridge replacement in Bracebridge.
The Town of Bracebridge has awarded the construction contract to McPherson-Andrews Contracting Limited for replacement of the bridge on on Matthiasville Road .Â
My Muskoka Now reports that the project is expected to be completed by the fall. Planmac Engineering Inc. is providing construction inspection and contract administration services.
C. Tatham & Associates Ltd. Consulting Engineers inspected the original 98-year-old bridge in in 2016, concluding that it had reached the end of its useful service life and replacement was necessary.
The bridge will be replaced with a bowstring truss-type structure painted black and with top bracing. The Town Council approved the structure after a municipal class environmental assessment study and a structural design report had been completed.
The bridge is designed for full highway loading and, therefore, will have no load restrictions.
The horizontal bracing height will be sufficient for all Ontario licenced vehicles. There will be a raised 1.5 metre sidewalk within the bridge trusses, on the downstream side.