Rehabilitation of bridge decks is not an exact science; the strategies and selected treatment would depend on a lot of factors including accuracy of the condition survey data, service life requirements, knowledge and expertise of the designer and owner, availability of desired materials and technologies, and to a large extent the fiscal management practices of the agency. This paper describes the historical development of bridge deck rehabilitation strategies in Ontario. Performances of some selected treatments, particularly waterproofing, overlays, cathodic protection systems and the associated concrete removal criteria are discussed in conjunction with the change in policies and practices. Some key changes in construction specifications that were recently implemented to enhance durability of rehabilitations are also discussed. The paper also provides a high-light of the developmental work that are currently underway as part of the ministry’s on-going initiative to seek cost effective strategies for managing the bridge inventory.
