By Melanie Jackson
msjacksonpei@gmail.com

Motorists travelling over the Hillsborough bridge recently probably noticed heavy construction equipment with crews carrying out work on the west side of the structure.
The work is being done to address safety concerns related to part of the bridge’s embankment that suffered some damage in recent months.
“Approximately 100 metres along the length of the embankment has had some erosion and we are adding some rip-rap (granite stone) to protect the embankment and minimize further erosion,” said Neil Lawless, an engineer with the transportation department who is overseeing the work.
The stone resists the impact and washout effect from the tides and currents – as opposed to the soil that was in place previously, Lawless said.
Some of the bridge’s guardrail will be replaced as well.
“There is a small area that has failed in the past year, causing some safety concerns with the guardrail in the localized area,” said Darrell Evans, manager of bridges for the department.
A section of the existing guardrail will be straightened as it is leaning outward, Lawless said.
“We want to stabilize the embankment so we can maintain traffic operations in the area,” said Evans.
Traffic disruptions should be minimal, said Kevin Campbell, traffic technician for the department.
“The only limitation will be between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. for the right-turn lane traffic coming off Water Street,” said Campbell. “That acceleration lane will be closed for three or four days.”
During that time, eastbound traffic will be restricted to one lane, but motorists will be notified in advance, Campbell said.
“We’re going to have message boards on all three approaches to the bridge.”
The work is expected to take three weeks and will cost approximately $100,000, Evans said.

Photo: The Department of Transportation is placing large granite stones to address an area of erosion along the embankment of the Hillsborough bridge. Melanie Jackson photo


First appeared on The Surveyor Online - January 22, 2013