November 21, 2017
A new Algonquin Modular Panel Bridge has provided vital year-round road access to a Northern Ontario First Nation community that had previously relied on either air transport or a 42-km ice road for its basic needs. With a changing environment, the ice roads have been open for as few as 28 days in recent years — a significant reduction from 77 days only a decade ago.
The North Caribou Lake First Nation (also known as Weagamow or Round Lake) lies about 900 km north of Thunder Bay. The new bridge connects the community to Ontario’s highway system via an industrial road known as the Northern Ontario Resource Trail, or the North Road.
Algonquin Bridge package features Bolt-A-Plate piers from AIL Group
As an Algonquin Bridge System, this packaged solution included two pier structures made from Bolt-A-Plate Custom Ellipses from our AIL Group sister company, Atlantic Industries Limited.
Modular Panel Bridge required innovative pier solution
The Bolt-A-Plate structures were assembled on shore. Then, with the aid of a construction barge and a floating turbidity curtain, clear granular stone levelling pads were prepared at the pier locations. The barge excavator lowered the caissons into place. They were filled with compacted clear stone backfill, balanced with protective stone on the exterior. Third-party precast concrete sills were placed on top.
The bridge is comprised of five sections: a centre span of 51.8 m, two spans of 27.4 m and two approach ramps of 3 m. Once the site was ready with the piers and abutments in place, the bridge was installed from one side of the narrows using a cantilevered launch sequence.
In the Oji-Cree dialect, the bridge name, Wa Pii Che Wa Noong, loosely translates to white current. Most of the locals just refer to it as The Narrows. Either way, it was officially opened with a multi-generational ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by leadership and members of both the North Caribou Lake First Nation and the broader, regional Nishnawbe Aski Nation.
Media coverage on modular steel bridge opening:
Northern Ontario First Nation to have year-round road access thanks to new bridge >>
New bridge to provide Year-round road access for North Caribou Lake First Nation >>
