Ava Road bridge work expected to start in May

Construction is expected to begin in May on Ava Road bridge, which has been closed for almost two years due to extensive damage.

At a committee meeting on Tuesday, city councilors unanimously approved an estimated $8.9-million rehabilitation of the bridge, which is expected to have a lifespan of 50 years. The cost is about $3.2 million higher than the original estimate due to additional infrastructure and the increased cost of construction materials.

The project, which requires final approval at this month’s city council meeting, is expected to take about 27 weeks to complete.

“The folks in Homedale have tolerated a lot this last building season,” said Coun. John Sless, referring to prolonged construction at St. Paul Avenue and Brant Avenue for road, sewer and watermain work, which blocked a major artery out of the neighborhood. “They were basically half shut off from the city and had to find their way around.

“Folks can expect another disruptive summer, unfortunately, but the pain is 27 weeks long. When it’s done, we have a bridge that should outlast anybody in this room.”

The bridge is located between Paris Road and Brant Avenue, crossing over Ava Road and two CN tracks. In June 2021, the bridge, which was built in 1959 and underwent rehabilitations in 1985 and 1998, was closed after an investigation revealed buckling and corrosion of the girders, corrosion of the exterior bearings, and deterioration of the piers and abutments.

Jennifer Elliott, director of engineering services for the city, said the entire bridge deck and girders will be removed, leaving just the piers that are secured into the ground.

City staff presented councilors with two options for the bridge work. The one they rejected would have kept one lane open during construction but extend the time to complete it over two building seasons. It also would have cost an additional $1.7 million.

Elliott said full road closure provides for a predictable and consistent traffic detour and is safer because it eliminates the need for barriers, signage and a soil retaining system put in place for road protection.

“Keeping one lane open during construction is inherently a problem because you’re trying to build things in pieces and we have to make those pieces fit together, which challenges the integrity of what you’re building and the longevity of what you’re building ,” said Sless. “So, if we take all the pain at once and shut down the bridge completely, there’s money savings and there’s a better product in the end.”

Once the bridge is complete, the Ava Road slip-off, or underpass, also will reopen.

Mayor Kevin Davis called the bridge reconstruction a very important project that addresses what was a serious safety issue.

“Yes, it caused a great deal of inconvenience but safety trumps convenience. It will be great to have this project done.”