BOLTON, Ontario, Nov. 29, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Acrow Bridge, a leading international bridge engineering and supply company, announced it has supplied a two-lane bridge to the Municipality of Port Hope in southern Ontario. The new structure replaces a failing single-lane bridge which was installed as a temporary solution 37 years ago, after a major flood devastated downtown Port Hope.
The old structure (the actual age of the bridge is unknown) over the Ganaraska River was dismantled by members of Toronto’s 32nd Combat Engineer Regiment over the weekend of May 13. The portable, prefabricated Bailey type bridge was developed for military use by the British during World War II, and used extensively by British, Canadian and US military engineering units. There are still many Bailey bridges in use around the world today, so the opportunity to work on the project made it an ideal exercise for the Engineer Regiment.
Over the course of a few years, different types of bridge structures were considered. In the end the Acrow bridge was chosen by the citizens of Port Hope as they thought the appearance of it was most suitable. As a bonus to the municipality, the Acrow bridge was also a more cost effective solution.
The foundations for the new permanent structure were started immediately upon removal of the old bridge. Assembly and installation of the prefabricated modular steel Acrow bridge, measuring 33 meters (110 feet) long by 9 meters (30 feet) wide, began on August 18 and was completed on October 17. The new wider bridge improves traffic flow and includes a safer asphalt driving surface. Acrow also provided the highway rated guard rails for the approach roads to match the guard rails on the bridge. The previous structure was protected only by a traditional Flex Beam guide rail system.
“Acrow’s structure was the perfect solution for this project,” said Ken Scott, President, Acrow Ltd. “Easily transported and designed and built to withstand the harshest elements, like every Acrow product, this bridge is made entirely out of high strength galvanized steel, and will be maintenance free. We are pleased that the people of Port hope believed the Acrow bridge was the best solution presented to them."
Added Bill Killeen, CEO of Acrow Bridge, “Our prefabricated modular steel bridges are an ideal choice for cost-effective and rapid permanent bridging needs. Our customizable components can be engineered for many different applications, and have an estimated life span of 75-100 years.”
The Acrow bridge was ordered by contractor Fidelity Construction and Engineering Inc. per the contract specifications, and the design engineer was G.D. Jewell Engineering Inc. Both firms are headquartered in Ontario.
About Acrow Bridge
Acrow Bridge has been serving the transportation and construction industries for more than 60 years with a full line of modular steel bridging solutions for vehicle, rail, vessel, military and pedestrian use. Acrow’s extensive international presence includes its leadership in the development and implementation of bridge infrastructure projects in over 80 countries, covering Africa, Asia, the Americas, Europe and the Middle East. For more information, please visit www.acrow.com.