Glen Road Pedestrian Bridge

Rosedale, being the most expensive neighborhood in the Toronto metropolis, likes nice things. When the century plus old pedestrian bridge that spanned the Rosedale Ravine and thereby linked the tony neighborhood to the rest of Urban Toronto was finally condemned as unsafe a new bridge was needed. It had to look nice and work nice. After much fierce debate the new bridge design was finally settled, a compromise between the “replicate the old bridge” and “wow us with something new” camps was reached.

To maintain a street view like that of the old bridge a fabricated beam arch structure was designed. However, to enhance the practicality the deck surface was widened to over 15 feet. This was particularly good news to cyclists who do not have to demount to cross!

Targeting full century lifespan and to insure very low maintenance the use of Hot-Dip Galvanizing was a natural. With many months a year of de-icing salt applications to the deck and a briny mist from the roadway below rust resistance was a top priority. For even greater corrosion protection and to satisfy the architectural desire for a low-key black appearance a duplex solution was also specified.

The as designed bridge used over two hundred tons of steel, all of it galvanized and almost all of it duplex coated. Hot-Dip assured quick turnaround whenever steel was ready for the process. The high levels of automation and computer control in the galvanizing plant maximize coating conformity and smoothness while minimizing any risk of distortion or damage.

These advantages are doubly critical when duplex coatings are specified, coating smoothness is key to success with the two layered solution.

Now in service to the thousands who make the daily trek from the treelined stately streets of Rosedale to the subway station across the span, again have access to the rest of the nearly eight million residents of Toronto and vice-versa. Hot-Dip and Duplex made it both beautiful and durable, well over a century of near zero corrosion maintenance lies ahead.