The south approach of the $132 million, three-year-old Coast Meridian Overpass will need some repairs due to settlement issues but the Port Coquitlam bridge is structurally sound and the repairs are expected to be minor, the city said.
An assessment conducted recently by builders SNC Lavalin found some settlement had occurred on the south approach near Kingsway Avenue, but it was expected and accounted for in design and maintenance plans, said Davie Currie, the city's manager of transportation, engineering and operations.
"Yes, it was part of the design, it was understood there would be some settlement over time, the abutments were designed to allow for that," he said.
The bridge was built in an area of compressible soils and so piles were used to support the main structure but the approaches were built on light weight fill designed to allow for settlement over time. Currie said most of the settlement occurs shortly after construction and then slows down.
Although SNC Lavalin was responsible for any repairs under warranty, the cost of ongoing settling repairs have to be paid for by the city. However, Currie said he won't know how much work is required or what it will cost until the design work is completed in about six weeks.
Orange spray paint lines can be seen on the concrete abutments leading up to the bridge where engineers have indicated work needs to be done. Currie said he didn't think traffic would be adversely affected during repairs although one lane onto the bridge will likely have to be closed.
"SNC Lavalin professional engineers confirm that the south approach remains structurally sound, safe for the public use. The city anticipates that minor repairs to the south approach barrier walls will be completed later this spring," Currie noted.
