Study Overview

The project includes the rehabilitation of both the Gull River Bridge and Overflow Structure located between Grandy Road and Baseline Road, and is anticipated to consist of the following key elements (to be confirmed/updated as the study progresses):

Gull River Bridge

• Superstructure replacement

• Surface patching/re-facing

• Substructure modifications to accommodate the new superstructure

• Roadway and sidewalk reconstruction on approaches to bridge

Gull River Overpass Structure

• Railing replacement

• Sidewalk re-facing on west side of bridge

• Overhang reinforcements

• Concrete patching and overlay

• Roadway and sidewalk reconstruction on approaches to structure

Utilities on, and near, the bridges, including hydro, sanitary forcemain, and telecommunications, will also be relocated as part of the project.

Traffic Management, Temporary Road Closures & On-Street Parking

Localized temporary road closures are anticipated to be required to facilitate construction and traffic staging, including the following closures where they intersect with Highway 35: South Water Street, Water Street and Rock Street. Alternate access to Highway 35 will be provided, including Nightingale Road for the South Water Street closure, Albert Street and/or Grandy Road for the Water Street closure, and Baseline Road for the Rock Street closure. The proposed road closures are anticipated to be required for the duration of construction (approximately 2 construction seasons), and construction will be staged. Required lane restrictions and/or side street road closures will be confirmed as part of this study. A timeline for construction will be determined during the study and will be subject to provincial priorities, funding and approvals.

On-street parking along Highway 35 between approximately Baseline Road to just north of the Overflow Structure, is also expected to be impacted for the duration of construction and unavailable for use; however, will be re-instated following construction. Traffic staging and impacts to on-street parking is still being reviewed and will be maintained wherever feasible during construction.

The use of the Highway 35 bridges over the Gull River by vehicles/pedestrians will also be impacted during construction; however, access over the bridges is anticipated to be maintained throughout construction with the use of single-laneing and temporary traffic signals for a short period of construction. Efforts will be made to avoid, or minimize, disruption during peak traffic periods (summer), where possible.

Navigability

The Gull River has also been identified as navigable for the purposes of the Canadian Navigable Waters Act. There is potential for temporary impacts to navigability during construction at both structures. We are seeking comments on use of the river in this area for navigation (i.e., passing under the Gull River Bridge and/or Gull River Overflow), including types of watercraft being used.

Localized in-water work will be required at the Gull River Bridge, including cofferdams around bridge piers and abutments, effort will be made to install them prior to the boating season, as possible. An approximate minimum 1.5 metre vertical by 3 metre horizontal navigational envelope at the Gull River Bridge is expected to be provided during construction. Following construction, vertical clearance under the bridge is expected to be similar to the existing clearance, with a minimum horizontal width of 7 metres.

Minor in-water work at the Overflow Structure north of the main Gull River Bridge will also be required which will obstruct the existing navigational envelope. Once construction is complete, vertical and horizontal clearances will match existing.

Navigability is still being reviewed as part of the study and impacts will be minimized wherever possible.

Note, the information provided above should be considered preliminary and subject to change and will confirmed as part of the study.