Big Lift redecking project postpones replacing 1st deck segment

Halifax Harbour Bridges' plans for the installing the first deck segment on the Angus L. Macdonald Bridge has hit a small snag.

This phase of the Big Lift projectwill now start Sept. 11.

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The first deck segment was supposed to be installed at the end of August, however Halifax Harbour Bridges general manager and CEO Steve Snider says the revised schedule will not change the overall project timeline.

"A two week adjustment for a project of this size and scope is insignificant," said Snider in a news release.

Jon Eppell, the chief engineer and project manager for the major refit said a redecking project of this magnitude has only been done one other time in the world.

There are 46 deck segments to be replaced.

"Once we begin replacing segments the technical and heavy machinery work needs to continue in a very methodical order. We want to make sure we are as well prepared as possible for that, so have revised the schedule to have the first weekend closure rescheduled by two weeks," said Eppell in a news release.

Since the undertaking is so huge, the first several deck segments will be replaced with weekend closures of the bridge. Once the contractor gains experience and can replace a deck segments within 10.5 hours, the process will only require overnight bridge closures.

According to a HHB news release, there will be 10 to 12 full weekend closures over the next 12 months.

In addition to the full weekend bridge closures the bridge will continue to be closed 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Sunday through Friday and daytime single lane closures will continue Monday to Thursday and Saturdays.

Here's HHB's schedule for the redeckingwork: