Abstract Manager

On May 10, 2023, an accidental field fire resulted in the total destruction of the bridge located on Provincial Road (PR) 311 over the Manning Canal in the Rural Municipality of Hanover, Manitoba. The original structure, constructed in 1980, was a 61-meter-long timber bridge featuring a laminated deck over six spans. This crossing served as a vital artery for the region, accommodating over 3,000 vehicles daily and acting as a critical corridor for local commuters, the movement of regional goods, and emergency services.

The sudden loss of this infrastructure impacted an essential transportation route, creating an urgent need for restoration. The main challenge was the necessity for an immediate response to replace the bridge quickly while ensuring the new structure could accommodate modern demands that exceeded the capacity of the previous 42-year-old timber crossing.

The primary objective was to fast-track the design and construction of a replacement structure that met modern RTAC loading requirements. Beyond simple replacement, the project aimed to improve roadside safety, enhance the hydraulic capacity of the crossing to handle major flood events, and improve the stability of the canal's slopes.

Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure (MTI) retained Dillon Consulting to facilitate a rapid transition from preliminary assessment to detailed design and provide construction advisory services. The methodology followed a two-phase approach:

• Preliminary Design: This phase involved extensive data collection, including geotechnical analysis, topographical and hydraulic surveys, and environmental assessments. The team developed and evaluated three distinct replacement alternatives before selecting a preferred plan.

• Detailed Design: This phase focused on the structural design of a new three-span continuous box girder bridge. It also included designing roadway grade raises to accommodate the deeper superstructure and finalizing construction staging and demolition plans.

Through an integrated approach involving all stakeholders, the project successfully accelerated the traditional delivery timeline. Following the completion of designs in November 2023 and a contract award in December, construction began on January 22, 2024. The new bridge and approach roadways opened to traffic on November 12, 2024, completing the project in  eighteen months from the initial destruction. The result is a resilient, high-capacity structure that restores vital connectivity to the RM of Hanover and provincial roadway network. .