Wedgewood Bridge
An additional lane was proposed for the Wedgewood Creek Bridge(s) on Anthony Henday Drive as part of the overall south leg widening. To widen the 41.5 – 52.0 – 41.5 m continuous span bridge(s) over Wedgewood Creek an additional line of precast NU girders were required on each bridge. The erection scheme included a Liebheer LTM 1130-5.1 centered at the abutment or pier, and the new NU Girder transported on a 132 to 156 tonne trailer configuration. A two dimensional grillage model was created to verify the live load distribution factors for the PS type loading. A bridge load evaluation report was prepared for the precast prestressed NU girder bridge.
The contractor also required heavy cranes on the bridge deck to hoist material down to the valley and to place concrete from the bridge deck for the new pier and abutment construction. The work plan required various cranes and construction traffic in the designated work zone lane combined with Normal Traffic in the adjacent lane. The results from the live load analysis were evaluated though Section 14 of CAN/CSA S6-14 to verify the load rating which indicated the contractors proposed work plans could be undertaken within the bridge live load capacity.