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.
Highway 102/107 Overpass
The Highway 107/102 Southbound Overpass creates a link between Highways 107 and 102 near Rocky Lake and the Bedford Commons in Nova Scotia. Harbourside Engineering provided the preliminary and detailed structural bridge and geotechnical design services for this project, as well as erection engineering. The project was awarded the 2025 Steel Design Award for Excellence by the CISC in the category of Bridge Projects. This overpass and the improvements to Highway 107/102 help to improve transportation throughout HRM.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Bonnie Road Bridge Emergency Collision Repairs
Harbourside Engineering Consultants was sourced by the NS Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal to provide emergency repair services after four girders were struck by a vehicle on the Bonnie Road Underpass Bridge that spans over Highway 101 in Meteghan, Nova Scotia. Harbourside’s scope of work included determining the extent of repairs, demolition design and phasing, detailed design of new bridge components, and erection phasing. Although a detour was necessary during the bridge's closure, it was vastly reduced due to Harbourside's approach.
Truro Heights Pedestrian Bridge
The Truro Heights Pedestrian Bridge was planned for construction in 2015 beside the overpass at Exit 13, spanning over Highway 102 and forming a vital part of the new pedestrian trail linking Truro Heights to the recently constructed Rath Eastlink Community Center in Nova Scotia. Harbourside Engineering Consultants provided the structural bridge design services for this project, as well as site inspection services during construction. Harbourside also developed the innovative girder erection method which mitigated the disruptions to the Highway 102.
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.
Highway 104 Twinning (Part 2)
As a part of a major initiative by the NS Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal to twin Highway 104 through the town of Antigonish, Nova Scotia, Harbourside Engineering Consultants received the contract to design six major structures along the new alignment. Harbourside provided preliminary designs of various options for each structure and final designs with tender-ready documents. This monumental task was undertaken by various groups, working in conjunction as the Dexter Nova Alliance.
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.
Vimy Memorial Bridge Erection
The Vimy Memorial Bridge (formerly the Strandherd Armstrong Bridge) is a multiple space-truss arch bridge that spans across the Rideau River in Ontario. The design of the bridge was completed by Parsons, while the general contractor for the project was Horseshoe Hill Construction. Harbourside Engineering Consultants provided the erection engineering for the project, completing the structure in July of 2014. The innovative design and erection method, designed by Harbourside, won the 2014 Engineers Nova Scotia Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Excellence in Engineering.
Gateway Bridge Inspection Program
In 2011, Gateway Operations began an Operation, Maintenance, and Rehabilitation (OMR) program for the four-lane Route 1 highway in New Brunswick. Part of this program requires the bi-annual inspection of 245 structural assets. Starting in 2014, Harbourside Engineering Consultants has been responsible for the biennial inspections of these structures. This substantial stretch of highway is one of the most important corridors in the province, connecting Canada to the United States, and ending in an interchange with the Trans-Canada Highway.