Corner Brook's Main Street bridge gets major overhaul
Corner Brook's Main Street bridge will be replaced this summer by a new higher, wider bridge that a city engineer says is being built in a faster, more cost-effective way.
"The bridge will be three feet higher and, actually, it will be one lane wider. There will be four lanes on this road. That will help with traffic flows and volumes for years to come," said Rod Follett, supervisor of road engineering in the city.
Move that bridge
The new bridge will be constructed beside the old one over Corner Brook Stream.
In September, the old bridge will be demolished and the new one will be jacked up and moved into its new location.
"It's an old technology that's new to us. We are very excited about it," said Follett. "It will definitely cut down on our cost. It will definitely cut down on the time we would be delayed to have the bridge installed."
Traffic detours
The $4.8-million project is being done by local company Brook Construction. Work started earlier this year and will continue into the fall.
The street will be closed to oncoming traffic starting in July while some demolition work is carried out. Traffic will detour around the downtown core for about seven weeks during that time. The city doesn't foresee any large traffic delays.
"After the first week or two, people will adjust to it and add more time to their daily trips," Follett said.
Higher and wider
Main Street bridge was first constructed in the 1920s with a major reconstruction in 1957. The bridge is old, and sits too low over the river which causes water and ice to build up underneath.
The new bridge is expected to be in full use in October.
