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.
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.
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.
East River & Sydney River Arch Bridges
Harbourside was engaged by the Nova Scotia Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal to conduct full assessments on the East River Bridge in Sheet Harbour and the Sydney River Bridge in North Sydney, Nova Scotia. A cost-comparison between rehabilitation and replacement was put forward, deeming a full replacement as most effective option for both. Harbourside completed the detailed design of replacement structures for the two sites, along with providing construction engineering services for the demolition of the existing bridges.
Northwest River Bridge Replacement
Public Works and Government Services issued a call for proposals in 2014 for the replacement of the Northwest River Bridge, located within Terra Nova National Park, Newfoundland. The project objective was to remove and replace the existing bridge and to realign the approaches on each side of the bridge to current NL-DOTW standards. Harbourside was also responsible for the design of the temporary sheet pile retaining walls along each approach, and the phasing for the extension of the golf course underpass structure immediately east of the river bridge.
Warren Brook Bridge Replacement
A call for proposals was issued in 2015 for the design of a replacement for the Warren Brook Bridge, spanning over the Warren Brook along the Cabot Trail near Ingonish Beach, Nova Scotia. After a preliminary design stage that evaluated several structure types and highway alignment options, Harbourside determined the optimal solution. The project objective was to remove and replace the existing bridge in an efficient, cost-effective and environmentally friendly manner, and to realign the approaches on each side of the bridge to meet current standards.
Shubenacadie River Bridge Replacements Project
The Shubenacadie River Bridges were in poor condition, so Harbourside Engineering Consultants produced detailed design and construction phasing drawings for the Nova Scotia Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal. The project included a full assessment of the existing structures, and the resulting report presented three options to address the problems with the structures. Harbourside undertook the complete erection package for the replacement superstructures, the complete demolition design of the existing superstructures, and the detailed construction phasing.
Indian Sluice Bridge Replacement
The new Indian Sluice Bridge is a three span, twin trapezoidal steel box girder bridge spanning over Indian Sluice Bay that replaces a century-old, deteriorated structure connecting the mainland to Surette’s Island in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. During preliminary designs, Harbourside identified significant concerns regarding the constructability of the parent design and completed a value engineering alternate design during the tender period. The new bridge was opened to traffic in June of 2014, nearly four months ahead of the original schedule.
Fletcher Hebb Bridge Replacement
Dexter Construction was awarded the design-build contract for the demolition and replacement of the existing Fletcher Hebb Bridge in Bridgewater, Nova Scotia, for the NS Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal. Harbourside Engineering was hired by both Dexter and Shaw Precast to carry out the design of the new bridge and provide construction engineering services. The project was completed on time, on budget, and within the seven-day permitted road closure.
Waverley Road Rapid Bridge Replacements
Waverley Road is a high traffic density artery for commuters traveling from Waverley to Halifax and Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. Harbourside Engineering Consultants was hired to develop and design panel bridge abutments for two separate structures: the Little Rawdon River Bridge and the Golden Brook Bridge. Harbourside accomplished the rapid replacement of the existing timber bridges using precast modular footings, beams seats and ballast walls. The existing timber bridges were each removed and replaced in two days.
Northport Bridge Replacement Alternate
Harbourside Engineering Consultants was hired by Alva Construction to provide an alternate design for the replacement of the Northport Bridge, spanning the Shinimicas River in Cumberland County, Nova Scotia, along Route 366. The alternate design, completed by Harbourside, resulted in significant cost savings for the contractor as well as the NS Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal by reducing the number of girders in the structure from the parent design, as well as significantly reducing the number of piles in the abutments.
Little Bras d’Or Cofferdam, Trestle and Bridge Replacement
The Little Bras D’Or bridge acts as the only non-load related link to the Newfoundland ferry in North Sydney, Nova Scotia, and was slated for replacement in 2010. Following the development of the Little Bras D’Or Cofferdam and Trestle, Harbourside was involved with the replacement of the existing bridge structure. The bridge, located on Highway 105 in Cape Breton County, is a two span twin trapezoidal steel box girder bridge spanning over St. Andrew’s Channel, and it is integral to keep Newfoundland and Nova Scotia connected.
Canal Bridge Replacement
The Canal Bridge over Rights River in Antigonish is an important connector for the community. As part of the main street that bisects the town, it acts as an integral transportation artery. Unfortunately, by 2008, the aging structure needed to be replaced. Harbourside completed the design of the new bridge in 2009. Construction was then done during the 2010 and 2011 construction seasons.
Midgell Bridge Replacement
While working for another consultant in 2006, the principals of Harbourside Engineering Consultants designed a replacement bridge over the Midgell River in King’s County, Prince Edward Island. Harbourside’s deliverables included tender and construction documents for the new bridge, as well as for the temporary supports, construction phasing, and horizontal launch details. Completing the replacement in only two days with minimal highway closures ensured that this main thoroughfare was kept active and traffic was impacted as little as possible.