The Department of Transportation and Works said today that repairs to the cross section of the Sir Ambrose Shea Lift Bridge in Placentia have been completed, restoring the original capacity of the bridge to allow tandem axle trucks up to 25 tonnes, and combination units up to 37 tonnes, to resume crossing the bridge.
A news release states enhancements will continue to be made to the bridge for the remainder of the year. The enhancements will include modifying counterweights, replacing wire ropes, and installing new marine navigation lighting.
The enhancements will require the bridge to be closed to marine traffic for the month of November.
In addition, it will the bridge will be closed intermittently to vehicular traffic so that the work can be completed. Bridge closures will not take place during peak traffic periods.
The work is scheduled to be completed by the end of December.
On Wednesday, government announced a new tender call for the construction of a modern lift bridge at Placentia, to replace the Sir Ambrose Shea Bridge.
Tom Hedderson, Minister of Transportation and Works said in a news release, that “repairs carried out this year will ensure the current bridge will meet the needs of residents until the completion of its replacement, which we anticipate will begin construction in 2013.”
A previous tender call received no acceptable submissions by the deadline. Since then, the Department of Transportation and Works has engaged in repairs to extend the life of the current structure, and has revised the requirements for the new bridge in an effort to encourage more proposals.
The new bridge will be built next to the existing bridge on Route 100. The existing bridge will remain open while the construction is ongoing. The tender includes the construction of new approaches, as well as the removal of the existing bridge.
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