Damage to the west sidewalk along the Overlanders Bridge also needs repair and could result in the delay of the $6.12 million deck rehabilitation project.
Image Credit: City of Kamloops
January 27, 2014 - 10:18 AM
OVERLANDERS BRIDGE OVERHAUL TO BE PUT OFF ANOTHER YEAR
KAMLOOPS – City staff is recommending council put off the full overhaul of Overlanders Bridge until 2015 and instead focus on temporary improvements to the surface this year.
The $6.12 million rehabilitation project was approved last year but much needed upgrades to the sidewalk would require additional funds. Staff would like to see an investigation completed and strategy brought to council later this year for the sidewalk.
Last year an engineering firm completed a detailed design for the replacement of the deck, with construction tentatively scheduled for this year. An infrared scan to determine the amount of deterioration to the concrete underneath the driving surface was in line with staff expectations.
Staff also looked at adjacent roads, which are in similar condition to the bridge deck, and the west sidewalk.The west sidewalk has seen 'little to no rehabilitation' since it was constructed in 1961 though more than 70 per cent of the 148 panels are still considered in fair to good condition. Of the 156 underlying supports, 97 per cent are considered in poor condition with only five determined to be in good condition.
The poor condition of the sidewalk has staff wanting to look at the project in conjunction with the bridge rehabilitation, instead of as individual projects. A full replacement of the sidewalk could cost $3.5 million while high-level repair estimates could be in the $2 million range.
The 53 year old bridge saw the deck last replaced in 1989 and the life of a bridge deck is usually between 15-20 years, the Ministry of Transportation estimates. Deterioration is already affecting traffic and staff is recommending maintenance funds be used this spring to improve the driving surface until the full rehabilitation can take place.
A borrowing bylaw will still need to be approved before the rehabilitation project can start on the bridge.
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