Constructability of the North Saskatchewan River Bridge

The North Saskatchewan River Bridge (NSRB) is an important river crossing on Alberta’s North South Trade Corridor. It forms part of the South West leg of the Anthony Henday Drive Ring Road around Edmonton. This paper examines the challenges faced and lessons learned relating to slope stability, foundations, girder design and erection, and environmental issues, during the construction of the NSRB. Scheduled for completion in 2005, these twin four span (80-100-100-80 meters) steel girder structures are the only new bridges of this type and length constructed in Alberta in recent years. Design standards and construction methods have changed since the last similar bridge was completed. Design procedures and construction techniques used on this bridge, that are new for the Edmonton area and in addition to the effect of large bridge size on constructability, include tangent pile walls, caisson casings, large concrete pours, and girder erections. Challenges encountered on this project include approach fills that are prone to sliding, the effects of bridge curvature on final girder camber, and the stability of girders during erection. Several other challenges and lessons learnt are also covered in the paper. The writers conclude that constructability input can still affect project budget and schedule during the construction phase. Finally, recommendations and strategies for future projects are presented.