Until October 31, 2019, one lane in each direction of the Emily Murphy overpass over Groat Road will be closed for the second phase of bridge rehabilitation. The eastbound exit from Hawrelak Park will need to exit south onto Groat Road. Park and golf course access will be maintained on the west side.
Project Update - May 2019
Work continues on the west side demolition. Work has commenced on the Emily Murphy Park Road over Groat Road bridge and will continue throughout 2019. Road work has also continued on Groat Road from 87 Avenue to the North Saskatchewan River. Boaters, please obey all signs and buoy markers in the water.
Various nighttime closures (8pm-6am) of Groat Road Bridge and River Valley Road are expected at intermittent times through this phase. Obey signage in the area. Updates will be posted on social media and with 311.
Future closures are expected through the duration of the project and are expected to proceed as follows:
River Valley Road Impacts
Superstructure Demolition- Winter/Spring 2019 & Winter/Spring 2020
Demolition of the northernmost portion of the existing bridge superstructure will take place over River Valley Road. This demolition work is completed utilizing a large land-based crane to disassemble the end span of the bridge; due to the footprint of the crane and the risk associated with hoisting heavy loads in excess of 100 tonnes, River Valley Road will be closed for the extent of these particular demolition operations.
Girder Installation - Spring/Summer 2019 & Spring/Summer 2020
Following the demolition of the existing bridge superstructure, new steel bridge girders will be installed as the first step in the reconstruction of the bridge. Installing the bridge girders on the northernmost portion of the bridge will require closures of River Valley Road in order to ensure the safety of the traveling public as loads of up to 80 tonnes are hoisted over the road and secured into place.
Bridge Abutment Reconstruction - Winter/Spring 2019 & Winter/Spring 2020
During reconstruction of the north bridge abutment located on the north edge of River Valley Road, it may be necessary to implement short-duration road closures for logistically-restricted construction operations, such as major concrete pours. These restrictions will generally be short duration and limited in nature.
Groat Road Bridge Impacts
Superstructure Demolition -Winter/Spring 2019
During the superstructure demolition on the west side of the existing bridge, there will be a series of full closures of Groat Road Bridge. These closures are required for certain critical demolition operations to ensure safety for both workers and the traveling public, and will be coordinated to occur during nighttime hours to minimize impacts to commuters.
Bridge Deck Reconstruction - Spring /Summer 2019 and Spring/Summer 2020
Major concrete pours that are required for reconstruction of the new bridge deck will require full closures of Groat Road Bridge due to spatial constraints and to ensure long-term construction quality. These concrete pours will occur during nighttime hours to minimize impacts to commuters.
Temporary Works Phase Transition - Summer 2019
The gantry cranes being utilized for demolition and reconstruction operations are supported on 2 sets of rails – 1 that runs down the centre of the existing bridge, and one that is located on a truss that spans across the river on the outside edge of the bridge.
Following completion of the demolition and reconstruction of the west side of the bridge, this truss will need to be removed from the west side of the bridge and installed on the east side of the bridge in order to commence the final phase of demolition and reconstruction works. This will involve lifting the truss overtop of the existing travel lanes on the Groat Road Bridge. Performing this task will necessitate a series of full closures of the Groat Road Bridge; these will be coordinated to occur during nighttime hours in order to minimize impacts to the public.
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Groat Road Bridge -
Gantry Crane Work -
Gantry Crane Work -
Gantry Crane Work
About the Project
In 2018, the City began the rehabilitation of 3 Groat Road bridges and Groat Road from 87 Avenue to the North Saskatchewan River.
Groat Road Bridge over the North Saskatchewan River
The Groat Road Bridge over the North Saskatchewan River was constructed in 1955. The last major rehabilitation of this bridge occurred in 1989-1990. Rehabilitation will extend its service life by at least 50 years and improve the functionality of the existing sidewalk by widening it to shared-use path standards.
Groat Road Bridge over Victoria Park Road
The Groat Road Bridge over Victoria Park Road was constructed in 1954. The bridge is generally in good condition but currently requires a wearing surface replacement, new deck joints and other miscellaneous repairs.
Emily Murphy Park Road Bridge over Groat Road (Mayfair Bridge)
The Emily Murphy Park Road over Groat Road bridge was constructed in 1963. The bridge is generally in good condition but requires some minor rehabilitation to extend its service life until more substantial rehabilitation work is needed in 10 years or more. Additionally, the north sidewalk will be widened to shared-use path standards.
Roadwork
Groat Road from 87 Avenue to the Groat Road Bridge over the North Saskatchewan River, including the ramps at Emily Murphy Park Road/Bridge and Hawrelak Park, will be renewed as part of this project. Work is anticipated to be complete by 2020.
The sidewalks on the east side of the ramp from Emily Murphy Park Road and from the Mayfair Bridge to Hawrelak Park will be widened to shared-use path standards.
Project Timeline
Construction - Began April 18, 2018
Pre-construction Information Session - March 2018
Tendering Period - November-December 2017
Detailed Design - Completed October 2017
Preliminary Design - Completed November 2016
Field Investigation - As part of the permitting process for this project, the Project Team completed a field investigation in spring 2017 to determine if historical or archeological artifacts are present in the key portions of the project area
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