Posted on 01/10/2016 6:53:47 PM PST by Hieronymus
A newly constructed bridge in northern Ontario has heaved apart, indefinitely closing the Trans-Canada highway — the only road connecting Eastern and Western Canada.
The Nipigon River Bridge has been closed for "an indefinite time due to mechanical issues," according to the Ontario Provincial Police. The bridge remains open to pedestrian traffic.
The west side of the bridge has pulled away from the abutment connecting it to the river bank's edge, lifting up about 60 centimetres.
As a result, police have shut down Highways 11 and 17 at the bridge, which is located about 100 kilometres northeast of Thunder Bay, Ont.
The estimated duration of the closure is "uncertain" with police noting it could be "possibly days."
"It's not just us. It's all of Canada that has a problem right now," Nipigon Mayor Richard Harvey told CBC News. "This is the one place in Canada where there is only one road, one bridge across the country." ======================================== Harvey added that police quickly started to stop people heading out on the Trans-Canada Highway at larger Ontario centres like Sault Ste. Marie, Thunder Bay and Terrace Bay, telling them to turn back or use an alternate route through the U.S.
(Excerpt) Read more at cbc.ca ...
This is a really big problem.
Wow, you’re right. Times on Google are close. I guess the limited access highways in the US pretty much offset the longer runs. Customs will still be a pain, especially for truckers...and getting through Chicago will be a real pain for all involved.
...and shorter runs are really out of luck.
The moose in western Ontario are ecstatic!
What's the new technology...
That will buff right out.
Some heavy heave from the frost or a bit too much tension on those left side suspension cables.
If this were Chicago or Afgahnistan they would probably drive a few heavy duty stakes to keep this side of the bridge from overrunning the pavement any further, drop a few loads of asphalt on the joint and roller it, pop in a “Bumpy Pavement” sign and consider it good to go!
I’m a former card carrying member of the Red Green Fan Club.
I’m a man
I can change
If I have to
I guess
...and shorter runs are really out of luck.
Bad luck to Thunder Bay though.
Concur, and thanks for posting this here. I was up there (Thunder Bay) long ago, very nice area!
The first cable-stayed bridge in the province.
Until repairs start it looks like a ramp could be put in on the less warped side and one passenger vehicle at a time allowed across.
Stayed bridge. Looks like the longer stays contracted more than the shorter stays. Did someone forget temperature calculations for a bridge in Canada?
Just slap an asphalt wedge on it and put a “bump” sign up until the spring.
Bookmark
Something along those lines, along with a 10 kmh speed limit, seems like the only possible short-term solution. It will require keeping bureaucrats at bay, but handling this in a way that doesn’t tick off the northern eight ridings for the next 20 years will likely be a priority for the liberals.
Wow. I've heard of detours, but that takes the cake!
"Hope nobody thinks I've flipped, 'cause I'm goin' to Thunder Bay, via Omaha!"
http://www.dtonline.org/vle/mod/lesson/view.php?id=276
Disadvantages: typically more expensive than other types of bridge, except suspension bridges
Sounds more like the bridge was built badly than the design was bad... I’m still missing on this one...
Dont think this is the one I’m thinking of but it looks like a good read so I went ahead and ordered it. Thanks.
Good to have a sense of humor but I would be too busy digging a foxhole with my helmet to find the humor in it. Funny guy, thanks.
Sounds like a contractor cut some corners.
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