Construction Update
Campbell Bridge – Concession 9 North Pakenham (Waba Creek)
On December 2nd, the Campbell Bridge on Pakenham Concession 9 reopened to traffic following an 8 week long reconstruction effort. The structure
which was originally built in 1950 was taken out of service on October 6th, to
facilitate major contract upgrades by Clearwater Structures Inc. Works on the
project included: removal and replacement of the deck and steel girders,
rehabilitation of the abutments, as well as new and safer guiderail systems.
The bridge project also included several environmentally friendly and cost
effective solutions as part of the work program. The old concrete bridge deck
that was removed was crushed on site and steel components were removed. The
crushed concrete was then used in place of rip rap (which is crushed stone that
would otherwise have had to have been purchased from an aggregate supplier).
The crushed concrete was then used in areas for slope stability (see photo inset
below).
In other environmental notes, during the design stages, a barn swallow nest was
discovered and needed to be removed. The removal took place outside of
nesting season as recommended by the Ministry of Natural Resources. Barn
swallows tend to reuse nests so considerations needed to be made accordingly.
In order to prevent the industrious barn swallow from being homeless when they
returned, an artificial nest was installed in place of the existing nest (see photo
inset below). These artificial nests have been used in other areas and have found
to be successful in attracting returning barn swallows.
Although there is some remaining work that will need to be completed in the
spring, the bridge has re-opened, with a new lease on life for the next 75 years.
Reuse of the old concrete deck as rip rap for slope stability.
Artificial nest for Barn Swallows installed on girders.
For further information contact Cory Smith, Public Works Technologist (613) 256-2064 Ext 229
or via email csmith@mississippimills.ca.