Only minor issues were reported with the International Bridge in Sault Ste. Marie, following a recent inspection of the span.
The annual two-week review, conducted by Hardesty and Hanover (H&H) of Okemos, Mich., gave the bridge a condition rating of “good to fair,” according to a news release from the Sault Ste. Marie Bridge Authority.
Inspection results were presented during a meeting of the board of directors for the Sault Ste. Marie Bridge Authority on Nov. 17.
“Outstanding ongoing maintenance is keeping the bridge in good to fair condition,” said H&H structural engineer Richard Wianecki in the release.
“The overall condition of the bridge is good and there are no serious issues.”
H&H noted only minor items stemming from the inspections and International Bridge Administration (IBA) staff has scheduled them for routine maintenance in 2017.
The fracture critical inspection was conducted on the Canadian half of the bridge. Fracture critical inspections are conducted on one-half of the bridge each year and provide a closer look at bridge components that are critical to the structural integrity of the bridge.
"We repair any structural deficiencies, no matter how minor, found during the inspection," said Karl Hansen, the IBA bridge engineer.
"The IBA has a long legacy of excellent bridge maintenance and a dedicated staff who protect the public investment in the bridge."
A five-year load rating assessment mandated by the Federal Highway Administration was also completed this year. The load rating review was performed in order to calculate the capacity of the bridge with modern truck loads, which weren't in existence when the bridge was built.
The load rating verified that the original bridge design remains adequate for modern truck loads, and that there are no safety issues with the bridge. Bridge truck load limits remain at maximum 72 tons, with 500-foot minimum truck spacing.
In other business, the board heard an update on the 16-month-long, $8.9 million (USD) toll plaza project, which is proceeding smoothly. Work is slated to be finished by the end of the year. Part of the project replaced concrete showing premature signs of wear.
“All our toll lanes were open this past Monday,” said Peter Petainen, International Bridge Administration (IBA) general manager. “Work in the toll lanes was completed with minimal disruption to traffic. The project remains on time and on budget.”
The operation and maintenance of the International Bridge is totally self-funded, primarily through bridge tolls. It is not subsidized by any state, provincial, or federal government entity.
