Sep 22, 2016 @ 16:10<\/b><\/p>\n
On September 22, 2016, the Ministry of Transportation provided an update on the investigation into the Nipigon River Bridge after it was unexpectedly closed earlier this year. The Minister of Transportation provided a Joint Statement on Nipigon River Bridge<\/a>. More information and links to the full reports can be found on this page.<\/p>\n This year the Ministry will install a permanent retrofit over the winter that will allow the bridge to continue to function safely and reliably.<\/p>\n Accessible formats and communication supports are available, upon request.<\/p>\n Feb 23, 2016 @ 11:10<\/b><\/p>\n February 22, 2016<\/strong><\/p>\n February 20, 2016<\/strong><\/p>\n Required work was completed \u200eearly this morning, therefore the additional two hour closure planned for Sunday, February 21 from 4:00 to 6:00 am\u00a0 will not be required. \u00a0Additional short-term closures of 15 minutes or less may still occur throughout the weekend while necessary bridge repairs are undertaken in order to open the bridge to two lanes of traffic by the end of the month. We apologize for the inconvenience.\u00a0 Motorists are reminded to obey and follow all traffic signage for the safety of both workers and drivers.<\/p>\n February 19, 2016<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cSouth Girder Temporary Support\u201d, graphic supplied by Ministry of Transport.<\/p><\/div>\n Primary temporary repair has been installed and tested.<\/li>\n February 18, 2016<\/strong><\/p>\n February 17, 2016<\/strong><\/p>\n February 16, 2016<\/strong><\/p>\n In Provincial Parliament:<\/strong><\/p>\n February 12, 2016<\/strong><\/p>\n February 11, 2016<\/strong><\/p>\n February 10, 2016<\/strong><\/p>\n February 9, 2016<\/strong><\/p>\n February 8, 2016<\/strong><\/p>\n February 4, 2016<\/strong><\/p>\n February 2, 2016<\/strong><\/p>\n February 1, 2016<\/strong><\/p>\n January 29, 2016<\/strong><\/p>\n January 27, 2016<\/strong><\/p>\n January 26, 2016<\/strong><\/p>\n January 25, 2016<\/strong><\/p>\n January 22, 2016<\/strong><\/p>\n January 21, 2016<\/strong><\/p>\n January 20, 2016<\/strong><\/p>\n Jan 19, 2016 @ 13:14<\/strong><\/p>\n Statement by the Minister of Transportation on Nipigon River Bridge<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cI am pleased to provide an update on the Nipigon River Bridge situation.<\/em><\/p>\n Earlier today, Minister of Northern Development and Mines Michael Gravelle and I spoke with municipal and First Nations representatives from across the region to provide them with a progress update on both the work to find a cause for the recent bridge issue and our progress in re-opening both lanes of the bridge to traffic.<\/em><\/p>\n Two respected research and testing facilities have been selected to conduct testing of the bolts from the bridge: Surface Science Western and the Faculty of Engineering at Western University and the National Research Council of Canada.<\/em><\/p>\n This week, the labs will be completing an independent, visual \u200eexamination of the bolts. Once that examination is complete, the two labs will be in a better position to determine how long the full testing will take. Full testing will include a chemical analysis of the bolts, a determination of the nature of the failure, a confirmation of the mechanical properties of the bolts as well as a comparison of the bolts to design specifications. We have expressed to both research labs that this testing is a top priority for our government, however, it is important that we get it right, and that will take some time.<\/em><\/p>\n This testing will help the ministry determine the cause of the issue and develop a permanent solution.<\/em><\/p>\n The ministry continues to work with the Ontario Professional Engineers who performed the design of the bridge at WSP (formerly McCormick Rankin Corp in Mississauga), and the Canadian firm that provided additional cable stayed bridge expertise, Buckland Taylor in British Columbia. The design was performed in accordance with the Canadian Highway Bridge Design Code and is capable of withstanding the necessary Code design parameters for winds in excess of 100 km\/h and climatic conditions including freezing temperatures well below -40 degrees celsius. The tensioning of the cables has been confirmed however, the ministry has not yet ruled out any factors in its investigation of the cause. All of this work, combined with the results from the Western University and NRC analysis, will help the ministry determine the cause of the issue and allow our engineers to begin the development of a permanent solution.\u200e Together with the contractor, a joint venture with Bot Construction Canada and Ferrovial Agroman Canada Inc., and their suppliers from within North America, significant efforts will continue to provide a safe and reliable solution that will open the bridge to two lanes.<\/em><\/p>\n The ministry is also currently reviewing a number of repair options to open the Nipigon River Bridge to two lanes of traffic. Each option proposes a different connection method and location to connect the bridge deck to the foundation. The chosen solution will also be peer reviewed by Ontario and other Canadian engineers.<\/em><\/p>\n To complete the work, occasional lane closures and temporary short-term full closures of the bridge during off-peak hours will be necessary. Notice of the complete closures will be provided well in advance to the neighbouring communities and travelers through our website and 511, MTO\u2019s Road Information Line. Our goal is to re-open the bridge to two lanes by the end of February.<\/em><\/p>\n Work on the demolition of the old bridge remains paused as we focus on fully reopening the bridge to traffic and implementing a permanent solution.<\/em><\/p>\n Again, please be assured that I take my responsibilities for road safety seriously. That is why the design of the Nipigon River Bridge was completed by professional engineers licensed in Ontario. The design is in compliance with the Canadian Highway Bridge Design Code which considers regional climate conditions.<\/em><\/p>\n I would like to thank everyone for their continued patience. MTO will continue to provide regular updates to the public as information becomes available. I would also like to thank Michael Gravelle for his leadership on behalf of the local community. For the latest information on highway closures, the public can call 511 or check\u00a0Ontario.ca\/511<\/a>.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Jan 15, 2016 @ 22:14<\/strong><\/p>\n The Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) has reached out to the National Research Council (NRC), Canada\u2019s \u201cgo-to\u201d research and technology organization, to help in their efforts to determine the cause of the failure of the Nipigon River Bridge, an essential connection of the Trans-Canada highway in northwestern Ontario and Ontario\u2019s only cable-stayed bridge. \u00a0 Beginning next week, NRC\u2019s experts in materials analysis and critical infrastructure will analyze some of the damaged bolts taken from the Nipigon River Bridge, which will be transported to facilities in Ottawa for further testing. Failure analysis will be carried out on the bolts used to hold together two sections of the\u00a0cable-stay bridge. \u00a0 Work will begin with fracture surface evaluation, metallurgical composition, and mechanical property verifications to ensure conformity with ASTM standards.<\/p>\n Quick Facts<\/strong><\/p>\n\n
Bolt testing reports<\/h2>\n
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Investigation reports<\/h2>\n
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Fact sheets<\/h2>\n
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Recommended for you<\/h2>\n
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