Halifax Harbour Bridges : Annual Inspections

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Location: Halifax, NS
Client: Halifax Harbour Bridges
Duration: 2010 Onward
Approximate Value: $35,000 Annually
Key Staff:  Riccardo Ciccarelli, Paul Burke, Neil Smith

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Project Description

Halifax Harbour Bridges (HHB) owns and operates two long span suspension toll bridges, the Angus L. Macdonald Bridge and the A. Murray MacKay Bridge. Harbourside Engineering Consultants has completed annual structural inspections of both suspension bridge structures, along with a variety of ancillary bridge (multi span steel box girder, rigid frame, multi-span voided post tensioned concrete slabs) and retaining structures (cast-in-place cantilever, bin-wall) from 2010 to present.

Harbourside’s Role

Inspection reporting includes element condition, defect identification and recommended maintenance. In recent years, Harbourside has played an integral role in exploring alternate access methodologies to improve inspection of previously inaccessible location as well as working with HHB to develop required inspection frequencies for various areas of the bridge. These inspections play an integral role in HHB’s maintenance and safety programs. This has ensured the continued safe operations of all structures and provided valuable condition assessment to allow for proper capital expenditure planning.

Overpasses Halifax Harbour Bridges

Inspections of the bridges includes all ancillary structures, such as the overpasses that lead to the Mackay and MacDonald, such as these.

Atop the Mackay Bridge

It’s customary for our new inspectors to have their photos taken by a senior engineer the first time they climb atop one of the bridge towers. This photo was taken atop the Mackay bridge, facing the Bedford basin.

View from the MacDonald bridge Tower

View from one of the Towers on the MacDonald Bridge. From this angle, the Dartmouth side of the harbour is visible.

Unique Challenges

As two of the busiest stretches of roadway in the province, the proper management of shutdowns on both bridges is essential. Planning and scheduling inspections around other shutdowns, or planned construction helps to mitigate the impact on traffic. Even minor delays on either bridge can ripple and affect traffic throughout the region.

Social Impact

The importance of both bridges to the province of Nova Scotia cannot be understated. As the two main connectors between peninsular Halifax and the city of Dartmouth, the municipality is dependent on the continued operations of both the Angus L. Macdonald and the A. Murray Mackay bridges. These inspections play a pivotal role in ensuring the bridges are well maintained and kept in service. Harbourside is heavily invested in the continued operations of both bridges.