Bridge 2 and 3 Replacement | Town of The Blue Mountains, ON

On this page:
1. Project Updates
2. Public Meetings & Information Centres
3. Map of Project Area
4. Quarterly Progress Reports

Bridges 2 and 3, also known as the Mitchell’s Creek Bridges, are concrete monolithic T-beam bridges connected by a short stretch of 6th Sideroad on the western edge of the Little Germany Management Area. The bridges were originally constructed in the 1930’s.

A Schedule A+ Municipal Class Environmental Assessment was undertook beginning in April 2019 to assess multiple factors including existing and future traffic operations in the area, the ability to span the water flow at the location, the sensitivity of the environment in the area. The assessment identified the preferred solution to be replacement of both Bridges 2 and 3 with new single-lane bridges. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2022.

Why Now?
The existing bridges are in poor condition with deteriorating walls and extensive exposed, rusted steel reinforcements. They have been given a 10-tonne load limit, and that limit will continue to decrease without rehabilitation.

Project Updates

February 9, 2023

The curbs and gutters have been installed, along with the barrier end panels and armour stone. Final excavation work and site cleanup has also been completed. However, due to production delays, a key piece required for the completion of Bridges 2 and 3 has been delayed. The Town's contractor is awaiting the delivery of the handrails which are expected near the end of February. Until then, the Town's contractor will be closing and blocking off both ends of the project site.

December 13, 2022
HugoMB has made great progress on the west bridge including installation of the precast concrete culverts and riverstone, preparation and pouring concrete for the headwalls, wingwalls and retaining wall, and waterproofing of the culvert joints. This week they plan to backfill and compact around the west bridge, re-open the west watercourse and secure the project site for the holiday shutdown. Construction will wrap up for the year after December 17, and will restart the week of January 16, 2023.
November 21, 2022
HugoMB completed the preparation and pouring of the concrete for the west bridge footings. Cambium was also on site to complete concrete field testing and sampling, and all measurements met specifications. This week, HugoMB plans to remove excavated material from the site, install riverstone along the front face of the culvert footing, and install the new west bridge culverts. They also plan to install reinforcing steel in the wingwalls, headwalls and retaining wall of the west bridge.
November 15, 2022
HugoMB has completed removal of the original west bridge, sealed the Stage 2 cofferdams and begun installation of the formwork for the new west bridge footings. This week they plan to finish installation of the formwork and reinforcing steel for the footings, and pour the footing concrete.
November 7, 2022
HugoMB has removed the formwork from the east bridge's headwall, and completed all necessary work to reopen the east watercourse including installation of riverstone, slope protection, and preparation of the creekbed. They were also able to move dewatering equipment to the west bridge work area, and began initial construction of the Stage 2 cofferdams. This week they plan to complete the construction and sealing of the Stage 2 cofferdams, excavate around and remove the west bridge, and begin installation of the west bridge footing formwork.
November 1, 2022
HugoMB has completed waterproofing and backfilling around the culverts of the east bridge. This week they plan to remove the headwall formwork, complete concrete repairs and patching, install riverstone and slope protection, and prepare the creekbed of the east bridge for re-opening to the watercourse. They will also move dewatering from the east bridge to the west bridge in preparation for construction of the Stage 2 cofferdams.
October 19, 2022
HugoMB has installed the pre-cast concrete culverts for Bridge 2, and has begun working on the forms for the headwalls and connecting links between the culverts and the wingwalls. Next steps include pouring the concrete for the headwalls and connecting links, and waterproofing the seams between the culverts.
October 3, 2022
HugoMB has completed installation of the forms for the outside faces of the wingwalls and retaining walls. High rain fall amounts and increased pumping requirements impacted the schedule last week and pushed the timeline for the concrete pour to this week. In addition to pouring concrete for the wingwalls and retaining walls, HugoMB will be removing excavated material from the construction site this week.
September 26, 2022
HugoMB has completed installation of the reinforcing steel and inner forms for the wingwalls and retaining wall. This week's work plan includes installation of the formwork for the outside of these structures followed by pouring the concrete for them.
September 20, 2022
Last week, HugoMB removed the forms from the new concrete footings, began installation of the wall forms for the wingwalls and retaining wall, and completed the layout for the top of the concrete elevations. This week they plan to complete the formwork and installation of the reinforcing steel for the wingwalls and retaining wall. Once complete, they will pour the concrete for these structures.
September 13, 2022
HugoMB has completed pouring concrete for the footings of the new east bridge. This week they will be continuing installation of the reinforcing steel for the wingwalls of the east bridge and retaining wall between the two bridges.
September 6, 2022
HugoMB has completed installation of the formwork for east and west footings, as well as beginning installation of the reinforcing steel for the abutment and wingwall footings. This week they will be continuing the installation of reinforcing steel and pouring the concrete footings. They will also be installing the forms for the wingwalls and retaining wall.
August 29, 2022
HugoMB has completed installation of additional cofferdams and the dewatering of the Stage 1 work area. They have also removed bedrock to the required depth for installation of the east footing. This week they are planning to complete the installation of the formwork and reinforcing steel for the footings, and pouring the concrete for the footings.
August 22, 2022
HugoMB has completed the dewatering for Stage 1, and removal of the east bridge. Prior to this work being a completed, a fish rescue survey was completed and approximately 335 fish were removed from the work area by RiverStone Environmental. This week's work plan includes excavation on the west abutment, completion of the survey layout for foundation limits and elevations, and construction and installation of foundations, including formwork, installation of reinforcing steel, and pouring of the footing concrete.
August 15, 2022
The contractor has completed installation of the turbidity curtain and silt fence in advance of dewatering. Work planned for this week includes the installation of cofferdams, dewatering the Stage 1 work area, and beginning removal of the east bridge. RiverStone Environmental will be completing a fish rescue survey in advance of dewatering.
August 8, 2022
Work completed last week by the Contractor included the removal of necessary trees and existing signage. Prior to removal, all trees were inspected for active bird nests and bat snags. Work planned for this week includes the installation of the silt fence and the dewatering for Stage 1 of construction.
July 18, 2022
HugoMB Contracting has begun mobilization to the construction site. 6th Sideroad will be closed to through traffic between 10th Line and The Blue Mountains Euphrasia Townline until the end of construction. The primary detour route has been designated as Grey Road 119.
June 9, 2022 - Construction Notice issued
The Town has issued the Construction Notice for the replacement of Bridges 2 and 3. Construction is anticipated to begin in late June 2022.
View Construction Notice
May 24, 2022 - Public Information Centre follow-up Staff Report
Staff Report CSOPS.22.038 was adopted by Council on Tuesday, May 24, 2022. The report includes a summary of the public feedback received through the Public Information Centre held on March 3, 2022, as well as details on the construction bids that were received for the project.
Staff plan to proceed with awarding the construction contract to HugoMB Contracting Inc., with construction scheduled to begin in June 2022. More details regarding construction will be available in the coming weeks.
View Staff Report
February 15, 2022 - Notice of Public Information Centre
A Virtual Public Information Centre regarding this project was held on March 3, 2022 at 5:00 p.m.
View Notice of PIC

Public Meetings & Information Centres

Map of Project Area

Map indicating location of Bridges 2 and 3 on 6th Sideroad near Little Germany

Quarterly Progress Reports

	Q4 2022	Q3 2022	Q2 2022	Q1 2022
Project Scope	Within scope	Within scope	Within scope	Within scope
Project Schedule	Behind schedule	Behind schedule	On schedule	On schedule
Project Budget	Within budget	Within budget	Within budget	Within budget
Notes		Project is tracking behind schedule due to supplier delay for precast concrete structures.