The City of Brantford approved a by-law and directed staff to post a maximum gross vehicle weight of 30 tonnes for the period from November 1 to March 31 of each year for the Lorne Bridge (Colborne Street West from Gilkison Street to Brant Avenue/Icomm Drive).
A structural analysis of the Lorne Bridge conducted in accordance with the Canadian Bridge design code, referencing construction drawings as well as a detailed field investigation and structural analysis, concluded that the spandrel arch bridge has sufficient capacity to carry the current loading; however the load capacity is reduced when temperature affects are taken into account, specifically between November and April.
As per the MTO Ontario Traffic Manual, under some circumstances such as structural weakness, it is necessary to limit the gross weight of vehicles on bridges on a seasonal basis. The City of Brantford will be posting “Maximum Tonnes” signs (single gross weight) on both approaches to limit loads on the Lorne Bridge.
Heavy vehicles that would normally travel on Colborne Street West will be required to use an alternate truck route between November 1 and March 31 to detour around the Lorne Bridge. Alternate truck route signage will be installed at critical intersections north and south of the Lorne Bridge. The signage will direct heavy vehicles operators to the Veterans Memorial Parkway bridge over the Grand River.
Please contact Rob Smith, C.E.T., Transportation Technologist (rsmith@brantford.ca) or by telephone at 519-759-1350, if you have any questions regarding the above information.
