53 Avenue bridge construction over Whitemud Drive finishes ahead of schedule

An Edmonton bridge project has wrapped up ahead of schedule, to the relief of drivers who are used to hearing the opposite news.

The city said all four lanes on the 53 Avenue bridge over Whitemud Drive have reopened to traffic, with the $12.4-million rehabilitation project wrapping up ahead of schedule.

The city began the south Edmonton overpass facelift in March, in order to extend its lifespan. Over the spring and summer, the project resulted in Whitemud Drive lane reductions and closures of the nearby Terwillegar Drive on and off ramps.

While the road construction is complete, landscaping will take place in 2017.

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Construction on the bridge included the replacement of minor bridge girders and deck, and minor substructure repairs. The city said an early spring start and a collaborative approach to delivery of the project with the contractor, Alberco Construction, helped push the project ahead of schedule.

In this instance, the contractor was brought into the planning process much earlier than normal to help influence the approach.

“This is exactly the kind of open, cooperative relationship the city wanted to create with our consulting and contractor partners when we designed the Integrated Infrastructure Services department,” Deputy City Manager Adam Laughlin said.

“When appropriate, we plan to bring contractors into the design phase of projects much earlier so we can benefit from their knowledge and experience.”

READ MORE: No more timelines for major construction projects in Edmonton?

First constructed in 1977, the 53 Avenue overpass carries four lanes of traffic, as well as two turning lanes, and two pedestrian walkways over Whitemud Drive.

The news of an early opening is music to some Edmontonian’s ears, after two other high-profile bridge projects experienced problems that led to massive delays.

READ MORE: Bridge construction sure to cause traffic headache in east Edmonton

The 102 Avenue bridge project was delayed 10 months, while the Walterdale Bridge replacement project, which is still ongoing and was supposed to be done two years ago, has been delayed until next year.

Work to replace the 102 Avenue bridge over Groat Road began in July 2014, and was set to last until September 2015. However, three of the girders buckled last March, shutting down Groat Road for weeks and pushing back the opening of the project until July 2016.

READ MORE: 102 Avenue bridge re-opening celebration sees champagne and cheers

Meanwhile, construction on the Walterdale Bridge in the river valley began in 2013 and was supposed to be done by fall 2015. Last spring, that date was pushed back a year because the bridge’s 42 steel beams, which were made in South Korea, began arriving months later than expected.

The Walterdale was supposed to open in late 2016, however the city announced last month it would be pushed back to mid-2017 because some weather-sensitive work, including asphalt paving, can’t be done until after winter. The city would not set a solid month or date for completion.

READ MORE: Walterdale Bridge opening delayed again, to mid-2017