The study has evaluated both rehabilitation and rapid replacement technologies for 7 bridges along the Ottawa Queensway. The study included rigid frame structures at Metcalfe Street, Elgin Street and Main Street and the bridges crossing the Rideau Canal UNESCO World Heritage Site. The focus of the study was to test the construction timelines for replacement within the duration of a weekend for closures of the Queensway.

This was a high-profile preliminary design study including consultation with Parks Canada, the NCC and City of Ottawa and a project web site for the public. Tasks included: detailed environmental investigations, PICs, TESR and all other requirements of the Class EA. The structural tasks included condition survey and review of all previous structural investigations, structural evaluations of 7 structures and review of seismic capacity of the 3 span Rideau Canal Bridge structures, review of conventional and rapid rehabilitation alternatives, rapid replacement alternatives for rigid frame bridges, and jack and slide alternatives for the Rideau Canal. Structural design reports, structural investigation reports and holding strategies were prepared for each bridge. The highway planning team carried out the following tasks: design criteria, scope and cost report, property requests, highway widening design and ramp extensions and assessment of traffic staging for conventional and rapid replacement projects and preliminary design report. Traffic modelling using Vissim and Syncro was documented in a Traffic Staging Report.