Abstract Manager

The Apex Bridge Replacement - Apex Nunavut

Background:

The community of Apex originated in 1942 as an Inuit settlement near a WWII military air base in Frobisher Bay. It expanded significantly in 1949 when the Hudson’s Bay Company relocated its trading post to Apex Beach. In the early crossing, residents initially crossed the Niaqunngusiariaq River using a primitive cable and plank bridge. In 1955 a single-lane Bailey bridge, imported from Europe, was installed by the US military and local residents to provide a sturdier crossing. After nearly 70 years of service, the bridge was deemed structurally fatigued and unsafe for modern loads. It was recommended for replacement in 2021.

Key Issues: 

During the design phase of this project, particular challenges were encountered with the bridge replacement including logistics on how to get a bridge to Iqaluit (no fabricators in the City for large structural components), scheduling (sealift operations are only accessible on a few trips), traffic accommodation and count (traffic count exceeded expectations from the client and Dillon), bedrock uncertainties (varying depths with permafrost), and due to the heritage and significance of the old structure, a salvage plan was reviewed and considered for the aged structure.

Objectives: 

Install a new bridge crossing for the City of Iqaluit to service the nearby community of Apex. Key design criteria included providing a pedestrian sidewalk and ability to carry emergency service vehicles and two way traffic. 

Methodology: 

Design a new two-lane modular panel bridge with externally cantilevered sidewalk and 75-year lifespan, fabricate the structure, ship to Apex, and install it to provide Apex with access to modern essential services like fire, sewer, and water from the City of Iqaluit. Complete roadway improvements and sightlines, as the river crossing is located approximately 30 meters from a nearby major intersection in Apex. Provide a safe pathway for pedestrians as they were forced to cross on the bridge roadway, mixed with traffic, on the Bailey bridge.      

Conclusion: 

A modular panel bridge was the appropriate structure for this crossing with regards to public safety, logistical constraints, and arctic environment, and also keeps a visual of the historical bridge that provided access to the community. This solution has guided other communities to a viable upgrade of their aging infrastructure. 

The full paper details the Apex Bridge including the design and construction of the replacement structure, completed in 2024.