MTO has initiated a class EA and preliminary design study for the replacement of the QEW Black Creek bridges in the town of Fort Erie. The study examined bridge replacement alternatives, including construction staging and detour alternatives.
The recommended plan includes the following:
- Replace the existing bridges at their existing location, with single-span prestressed concrete box girder bridges.
- Generally maintain the existing freeboard clearance of the bridges over Black Creek
- Maintain the existing QEW horizontal and vertical alignment
- The proposed new bridges will be able to accommodate 2-lane operations during future bridge rehabilitation.
- Construction staging of the bridge replacements will be facilitated by median crossovers:
– The existing maximum highway posted speed of 100 km/h will be maintained
– One temporary ramp closure during construction at the QEW/ Netherby Road interchange will be required
-Single lane operations (in each direction) during construction
– Temporary illumination throughout the project area during construction
A report summarizing the recommended plan, alternatives, and other considerations is available for public viewing until June 20, 2014 at locations in Toronto, Hamilton and St. Catharines. For more information on this project, please contact:
Makael Kakakhel, Senior Prject Engineer, MTO, Central Region, 416-235-4341 Makael.kakahel@ontario.ca