Company seeks noise bylaw exemption for Skyway Bridge work

– Photo courtesy Public Information Display www.hwy49quinteskyway.ca

UPDATE: Amended for approval of a six-month time frame with request for consultation with the public on possible mitigation measures.

The company responsible for creating a preliminary, detailed design and environmental assessment study for the rehabilitation of the Skyway Bridge will seek an exemption to the County’s noise bylaw at tomorrow’s council meeting.

Morrison Hershfield Limited wants the exemption to allow the contractor to perform construction work at any time (24 hours per day, seven days per week) for all of 2018.

The company has been retained by the Ministry of Transportation to conduct the study. The rehabilitation of the Highway 49 Bay of Quinte Skyway Bridge is to take place over six years 2018-2023. Built in 1967, the structure exhibits substantial deterioration, particularly to the bridge deck, piers, and steel girders. The structure does not meet current design standards for shoulder width and traffic barriers.

The primary sources of noice will include intermittent concrete chipping, air compressors, electric generators and continuous operation of diesel generators, engines and vehicles.

“Although most of the work will be conducted during the day, there will be certain situations where it will be necessary to complete the work at night to avoid disrupting traffic and to efficiently complete the project on schedule,” said Project Manager Joseph Ostrowski, in a letter to the County, noting the impacts are temporary, and largely unavoidable.

The company estimates there will be fewer than 25 nights of full closures for the installation of expansion joints and concrete pumping, over the six-year construction period.

Single lane traffic will be controlled by temporary traffic signals mounted on the bridge or at approaches to the work zone. The company has told the County that girder removals and erection will be by cranes on barges, or land below.