The work to replace the Duchesnay Creek Bridge on Highway 17B begins this summer.
Kristin Franks, who is the regional issues and media advisor with the Ministry of Transportation in North Bay, says the work on the Main Street West bridge will get underway subject to approvals. This comes on the heels of the indefinite closure of the bridge due to safety concerns by the MTO on Tuesday.
Franks says the entire project will take two years to complete. During that time, traffic that normally uses Highway 17B has to detour onto Highway 17.
The present bridge was built in 1937 and Franks says its age is what prompted the MTO to look at replacing it.
Franks says part of the bridge has timber in it and that uniqueness has resulted in it being recognized as a heritage structure.
“So to maintain the very unique aspect of the bridge, the new design incorporates a timber component,” Franks said.
“Thanks to evolutions in engineering and a product called laminated wood, we’re able to move forward with the design and maintain the historic aspect of the structure.”
The new bridge includes three spans and will be a bit longer and wider than the bridge it’s replacing.
“The replacement structure will measure approximately 83 metres long and 13 metres wide,” Franks said.
That will make the new bridge 10 metres longer and two metres wider than the present bridge.
Franks was not able to provide a cost for the project because the work has not yet been tendered.
