Construction of Skyway Bridge begins this month
Administrator | Aug 01, 2018 | Comments 1
Work on the Bay of Quinte Skyway Bridge on Highway 49 is set to begin this month and continue into late fall.
Rehabilitation work underneath the bridge will be completed along with electrical work in preparation for installation of temporary traffic signals in 2019. Work at the intersection of Highway 49 and Old Highway 2 and York Road is planned to be completed prior to Oct 31, 2018.
During any traffic closures, priority will be given to emergency vehicles who will be escorted through the work zone.
Aecon Construction and Materials Limited is performing the work for the Ministry of Transportation contract from 2018 until the summer of 2024.
The $40 million-plus rehabilitation of the bridge is to take place over six years. The entire cost is to be borne by the provincial government. Built in 1967, the structure exhibits substantial deterioration, particularly to the bridge deck, piers, and steel girders. The structure does not meet current design standards for shoulder width and traffic barriers.
Filed Under: Local News
It’s important to note that the Ministry has refused to do the rehab of the bridge so that it includes a divided section for bicycles and walkers. This is a dangerous bridge to cross if you aren’t in a car, and more dangerous when cars are passing walkers and cyclists. there is a way for a divided section to be included, but the decision has been made by the Ministry not to do that. Also, Council is giving the Ministry a noise exemption by-law, done without notification to local residents. No consultation also extends to the notice in this article that there will be bridge closures. the original consultation talked about always having an ability to go over the bridge. All in all a shoddy process and poor decision making.