Our Projects
Raising the Bar at Every Turn
Engineering Design and Innovation
Every project that Harbourside undertakes is backed by our commitment to engineering excellence. Our work is characterized by thorough communication and comprehensive design. We see the whole picture. At every step, Harbourside redefines the meaning of quality engineering. With seasoned professionals from every sector of the industry, we are able to solve even the most technically challenging projects. Both throughout Atlantic Canada, and on the international stage, our work has been recognized by highest supervising bodies. The award-winning projects below are a testament to the calibre of the engineering performed at Harbourside.
Etobicoke Creek Rail Bridge Replacement
Harbourside Engineering was retained by Demathieu & Bard Construction to design a versatile, modular gantry system to replace the 122‑year‑old Etobicoke rail bridge for Metrolinx, which aimed to modernize a critical commuter corridor. The gantry enabled the safe removal and installation of bridge spans during three short (51‑hour) weekend closures. This innovative approach reduced disruptions and avoided the environmental impacts of traditional crane-based methods, delivering significant benefits for commuters of the busy Lakeshore West Line.
MacKay and Macdonald Bridges: Forensic Investigation and Rehabilitation of Concrete Foundations
W.S. Langley, as a division of Harbourside Geotechnical Consultants, was responsible for the condition assessment of the pier foundations for both the Macdonald and the MacKay Bridges in Halifax, Nova Scotia. W.S. Langley and Harbourside also developed the concrete mixture proportions for the rehabilitation of the pier foundations by means of concrete encapsulation. These bridges function as two of the main transportation arteries within the city, and their proper functioning is crucial.
Port Lands Flood Protection and Redevelopment
Harbourside Engineering provided erection engineering services for the fabrication, transportation, and erection of four steel arch bridges for Waterfront Toronto, Ontario. Two of the new bridges cross the Keating Channel to replace the previous Cherry Street North Bridge, and the other two, on Cherry Street and Commissioners Street, cross the new river valley at the mouth of the Don River. Most of the work to build and coat these structures was completed in Nova Scotia, and they were later transported by barge to Toronto.
Victoria Bridge Erection
The original Victoria Bridge, serving as the main connection between Old South and downtown London via Ridout street over the Thames River in Ontario, needed replacement. E.S. Fox Limited (ESF) was awarded the construction project and engaged Harbourside to provide erection and construction engineering services. The replacement of the bridge involved the removal of the two-span bridge and the construction of a twin-rib arch supporting structure along Ridout Street South. In 2024, the Victoria Bridge won the CISC steel design award for engineering excellence in Ontario.
Old Champlain Bridge Deconstruction
Harbourside Engineering was named as Deconstruction Engineers for the Old Champlain Bridge, which joined Brossard to Montréal, Québec, and spanned the active St. Lawrence Seaway Navigation Channel as the busiest vehicular bridge in Canada. Reports indicated hazards related to the structure of the bridge, with partial or complete collapse being a legitimate risk. Its demolition ensured the safety of Québec residents, and Harbourside was awarded the 2023 Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Excellence in Engineering as a result of this project.
Highway 104 Twinning (Part 3)
The Highway 104 Twinning Project was a Design, Build, Finance, Operate, and Maintain (DBFOM) project, including twinning the 100 series highway between Sutherlands River and Antigonish, Nova Scotia, with new interchanges and bridges. Working as part of the Dexter Nova Alliance (DNA), Harbourside Engineering Group completed the design of bridge structures, and was awarded the 2025 Lieutenant Governor's Award for Excellence in Engineering for this project.
Groundhog River Bridge Demolition
When the former Groundhog River Bridge, a vital piece of infrastructure on the Trans-Canada Highway in Fauquier, Ontario, approached the end of its service life, Harbourside was contracted in 2021 by Facca Incorporated to provide alternative options for demolition. Harbourside proposed a de-launch methodology that allowed for de-launch of the bridge superstructure on the approaches. Harbourside conducted a full analysis of the bridge during all phases of the demolition, as well as a full floating stability analysis for the barges supporting the bridge.
Halifax Harbour Bridges : Annual Inspections
Harbourside Engineering Consultants has completed annual structural inspections of both the Angus L. Macdonald Bridge and the A. Murray MacKay Bridge in Halifax, Nova Scotia, owned and operated by Halifax Harbour Bridges (HHB), from 2010 to present. As the two main connectors between peninsular Halifax and the city of Dartmouth, the municipality is dependent on the continued operations of both bridges. Inspection reporting includes element condition, defect identification, and recommended maintenance.
Fort York Pedestrian Bridge
Dufferin Construction was awarded a design-build contract for the design and construction of two pedestrian bridges in Ontario, providing a link between Stanley Park and the Western area of Fort York grounds. ES Fox was subsequently awarded the contract for the bridge steel superstructure erections, retaining Harbourside to complete the erection engineering. Construction began in 2015 and was completed in 2019, and Harbourside was awarded the Award for Excellence in Bridge Projects from the Canadian Institute of Steel Construction.
St. Peter’s Swing Bridge Replacement
Harbourside Engineering Consultants was contracted by Dexter Construction to provide specialist structural construction engineering services for the replacement of the existing St Peter’s Swing Bridge in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. The new structure is a two lane, two span bobtail swing bridge over the historic St. Peter’s Canal. It consists of a cast-in-place reinforced concrete deck supported by twin trapezoidal steel box girders, founded on cast-in-place concrete piers and abutments complete with socketed piles.
Burgoyne Bridge Erection
The Burgoyne bridge is one of three crossings that span Twelve Mile Creek. It is an important transportation artery for the Niagara area, Ontario. By 2010, it was recommended that the bridge be replaced, and Harbourside was contacted by Pomerleau and Structal as a subconsultant to handle construction phasing and unique launch and design approaches, which began in 2014. After completion in 2016, Harbourside was awarded the Award of Excellence at the Canadian Consulting Engineering Awards Gala for the project in 2017.
Bakers Brook Bridge Replacement Approach
In 2016, Harbourside Transportation Consultants designed the new approach for the replacement of the Bakers Brook Bridge in Gros Morne National Park, Newfoundland, as part of a series of bridge replacements undertaken by Harbourside Engineering Group for Parks Canada. Harbourside completed the design of the vertical and horizontal alignments, from initial concept layouts through to detailed design and tender for the new approach for the Bakers Brook Bridge Replacement.
Rocky Barachois Bridge Replacement Approach
Gros Morne, Newfoundland, continued its series of bridge replacement projects with a focus on the Rocky Barachois Bridge in 2016. Harbourside was contracted to provide detailed concept, design, and tender documents. Harbourside Transportation Consultants completed the design of the vertical and horizontal alignments, while Harbourside Geotechnical Consultants investigated the approaches at this site. The design of the new bridge was undertaken by Harbourside Engineering Consultants, making this project a truly comprehensive endeavour for the group.
Deer Arm Brook Bridge Replacement Approach
The Deer Arm Brook bridge in Gros Morne, Newfoundland, was slotted for replacement in 2016. Harbourside Transportation Consultants completed the design of the vertical and horizontal alignments, from initial concept layouts through to the detailed design and tender for the new approaches for the bridge replacement. Alternative alignment options for reconstructing the approaches for the new bridge were based on the Transportation Association of Canada Geometric Design Guide for Canadian Roads (TAC) for a design speed of 90 kilometers per hour.
MacKenzie River Bridge Replacement
Harbourside Transportation Consultants completed the design of the vertical and horizontal alignments, from initial concept layouts through to detailed design and tender, for the new approaches for the MacKenzie Bridge Replacement in 2016. The objective of the alignment design was to be able to construct the new bridge while maintaining traffic on the existing structure and improving the geometry on the roadway approaches. The updated bridge now meets modern guidelines, making it much safer than its predecessor.
THE BIG LIFT: Angus L. MacDonald Redecking Project
The existing deck and stiffening truss of the Angus L. Macdonald (ALM) Bridge, spanning over the Halifax Harbour in Nova Scotia, were nearing the end of their service life and needed replacement. The project consisted of the design of the new suspended deck and stiffening truss, as well as the analysis of the bridge during erection and the design of the main erection equipment. Harbourside received the Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Excellence in Engineering in 2018 for its work on The Big Lift.
Central Avenue – Accelerated Bridge Construction
The Central Avenue replacement bridge in Fort Erie, Ontario, was designed use the same footprint as the existing bridge. Harbourside was engaged to provide the structural design of four self-stabilizing temporary steel bents which were supported on spread reinforced concrete footings founded on bedrock. With 11,300 vehicles crossing the centrally located bridge daily, it was important to ensure traffic disruptions were kept to a minimum. The completed bridge features two traffic lanes, two bike lanes, and sidewalks.
Seal Island Bridge Emergency Repair
The Seal Island Bridge Structure, or the Great Bras d’Or Crossing, in Victoria County, Nova Scotia, is the third largest bridge span in the province and a crucial link in the Trans-Canada Highway between Sydney and Baddeck. The NS Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal consulted Harbourside to provide structural engineering services for the assessment of the three span continuous main span and rehabilitation of a damaged truss diagonal. Harbourside developed an innovative structural repair with detailed phasing drawings.
Juno Beach Memorial Pedestrian Bridge Erection
The Hunt Club pedestrian bridge was completed in 2014. Originally designed by another firm, multiple setbacks prompted the City of Ottawa to dismiss the original designer and retain Parsons to redesign the bridge. The in turn hired Harbourside as the bridge erection specialists.
Bedford By-Pass Girder Repair
The Bedford By-Pass Bridge Structure near Halifax, Nova Scotia, sustained structural damage in 2012 from a vehicular impact. In 2016, NSTIR awarded the contract for rehabilitation to Cherubini Metal Works, who contacted Harbourside to provide structural engineering services for the rehabilitation of the damaged portion of the bridge. Harbourside Engineering completed a condition assessment, developed a girder repair procedure that minimized impact to traffic on Highway 102 and the Bedford By-Pass, and provided detailed phasing drawings outlining the girder repair procedure to the contractor.