Bannerman Bridge Rush Replacement

Long, as in long-service-life is an important and often touted virtue of Hot-Dip Galvanizing but this story also plays to the opposite virtue of Hot-Dip. Short, as in short lead-time!

On the 14th of January 2025 the old Bannerman Bridge on Concession Road 14 in Holyrood, Ontario was condemned for structural deficiency. So, the short span rural single lane bridge was taken out of service by the county. Mid-winter Canadian weather conditions precluded any temporary on site work, so the decision was instead made to do a rush replacement without delay. Only a steel bridge could be engineered and built in the time allotted. Hot-Dip was also specified to insure long service life. In short order the contracts were awarded, and the old bridge was demolished. Within days the new bridge design was being tailored to the specific site and the galvanizer was there to sign off on any compatibility issues. As soon as weather permitted new concrete footings were poured. The fabricator was able to quickly fabricate all the components, and the local high-capacity galvanizer was able to process the 60 tons of steel within 24 hours of receipt. The bridge was assembled on site on dropped in place as one piece. A concrete deck was poured, and the bridge was put into service in early May. The speed and cost effectiveness of this project was enhanced by the automation and process controls in the state-of-the-art galvanizing plant. Product control and identification insured no lost components, and the automated galvanizing process insured smooth mating surfaces and clear bolting holes, optimizing onsite assembly time and cost. So, a new permanent long service life bridge was installed in three and a bit months from failure recognition to new in-service date despite much of that time being impacted by winter conditions. The amazing Hot-Dip value equation was on full display adding mightily to both the shortness and “longness” of the very same bridge!