Wildwood bridge will be undergoing a seismic upgrade starting this fall, with work extending into next year.
According to Rino Parise, area manager and development officer for BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, Powell River area, bids for tender will be going out from August to September, with the award tentatively taking place at the end of September. Work is temporarily scheduled between mid-October and summer of 2022.
“The idea is that it would be complete before the summer busy time next year,” said Parise. “It won’t affect this summer.”
The two-lane Wildwood Bridge was built in 1966 to replace the single-lane crossing between Wildwood and Townsite.
According to information provided by Parise, a description of the work involved in the seismic upgrade includes seismic retrofit of the abutments (the substructure at the ends of a bridge span) and piers. The seismic retrofit consists of the removal and installation of new approach span bearings, installation of shear keys, steel brackets and embankment improvements at the south abutment. Further, the existing deck will have a new concrete overlay.
Parise said this will be an extensive project.
“It’s kind of like two parts,” he added. “They’ll start on the seismic improvements right away and it will end with the whole bridge deck being poured with brand new concrete. That won’t happen until the spring or summer. That will be the end of the project. You can’t pour cement in the winter.”
During construction, there will be some traffic disruption on the bridge. Parise said there will be delays, with single-lane alternating traffic over the bridge, probably throughout the project. He said it will be important for bridge users to plan accordingly.
“People should be extending what they normally would,” said Parise. “I would always caution people to make accommodations.”
Parise said this will be important work in upgrading the local transportation infrastructure.
“That bridge is really important,” he added, “and if we can improve upon it, that’s good news.”
