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Craigflower Bridge project faces more delays, higher costs Engineers discover structure needs to be strengthend to withstand an earthquake
Kyle Slavin Reporting
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The opening of the new Craigflower Bridge will be delayed again after engineers discovered the bridge – as planned – could have collapsed or been severely damaged during an earthquake. Engineers on the project determined in July that some 124 load-bearing joints on the new span needed to be strengthened in order to improve its seismic standing. “The bridge would’ve been fine, it certainly would’ve stood up (day-to-day), but the risk is with the forces of an earthquake, you have to have these incredible strong connections,” said Jim Hemstock, Saanich’s manager of capital projects. The vulnerability was discovered after the steel fabricator had begun constructing bridge components, when the project’s design engineer reviewed the fabricator’s detailed drawings. And while it’s a relatively easy fix – steel plates need to be welded on at each of those joints – it’s work that wasn’t planned for in the original contract. Saanich has spent the last three months renegotiating with the contractor, Don Mann Excavating Ltd., on what impact this new work will have on the construction timeline and budget, but they still don’t have firm answers to either of those questions. “We’re expecting probably another month delay,” Hemstock said. Saanich Mayor Frank Leonard says the bridge will be open “no sooner than March, no later than the end of May, June.” This is the second time this summer that the project’s timeline has been extended; in July the reopening was moved from December 2013 to March 2014 as a result of a North America-wide steel shortage. PlEASE SEE: Project cost increase, Page A4
William Shepherd/News staff
Wheels up! Cyclist Dan Irwin shows off his unique talent for BMX bike tricks at the Sunkist End of Summer Bike Day held at the Quadra Street Fairway Market Saturday. The event included trick riders, a barbecue, bike tuneups and entertainment.
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