Bridge The Gap Newfoundland

[Brayan Jacobsen]

Labradorand Newfoundland are connected by ferry service between Blanc-Sablon, Quebec (close to the Labrador border) and St. Barbe. However, the most important ferry connection between Newfoundland and mainland Canada is the Marine Atlantic service between Port-aux-Basques and North Sydney, Nova Scotia, a distance of approximately 165 km (89 nmi; 103 mi).

The idea is not new; it was one of Joey Smallwood's ideas in 1949.[1] It was again put forward by mining engineer Tom Kierans during the early 1970s as a means to bring hydroelectricity from Churchill Falls to Newfoundland. About $75 million was spent by the provincial government on constructing such a utility tunnel, but the project was cancelled in 1975.[2][3]

In their 2019 election platform, the Liberal Party of Canada indicated support for a National Infrastructure Fund, including the Newfoundland-Labrador fixed transportation link, likely linking Yankee Point, Newfoundland, with Point Amour on the (Labrador) mainland.[6]

Electric-powered trains would be loaded on either side and carry cars, buses and transport trucks, in a manner similar to the Eurotunnel Shuttle between the United Kingdom and France. The authors of the study estimated that construction, either by tunnel boring or lowering pre-constructed tunnel sections to a trench in the sea floor, is beyond the current technological limit due to the depth of the sea floor and scouring of the strait by icebergs.

The authors also stated that the low traffic levels would not justify the cost of construction. Conceivably, if built with federal aid, the 1949 terms of union might be amended to remove federal subsidies from the federally operated Marine Atlantic ferry service that connects Port-aux-Basques with North Sydney, Nova Scotia, and place them instead on the proposed fixed link.

In terms of driving distance, a fixed link would not be favourable for travellers from the Maritimes or parts of the Eastern Seaboard of the United States, as they would have to drive to Quebec City where bridges cross the St. Lawrence River (or one of the ferries further downstream), before continuing east along Quebec's Cte-Nord (of the Gulf of St. Lawrence).

The south coast of Labrador was isolated from the rest of the North American road network until completion of the Trans-Labrador Highway in 2009, and upgrades to its counterpart Route 389. The eventual completion of Route 138 will provide a more direct link between Labrador and the North American road network.[9]

In 2016, Premier Dwight Ball launched a pre-feasibility study to determine the costs of a tunnel link between the island and Labrador.[5] The study released its results in April 2018 and concluded that a 16 km (10 mi) undersea rail tunnel connecting L'Anse Amour in southern Labrador and Yankee Point near Flower's Cove on the Northern Peninsula of Newfoundland could be constructed at a cost of $1.65 billion.[10] Such a tunnel would take about 15 years to construct, with public-private partnerships strongly recommended for the financing of such a project. In a news conference covering the pre-feasibility study, Ball stated that a fixed link tunnel between Newfoundland and Labrador had the potential to be a "nation-building project" that could "truly change the landscape and unify our country".[10] A formal feasibility study, costing up to $22 million to conduct, is the next step in the process of formulating a plan to construct the fixed link, though there is no timeline on when to commence this study.[11]

Business and community leaders in Newfoundland and Labrador and the rest of Canada have spoken out against the project, noting that the economic argument for such a link is not proven. The Economist derided the proposal in a story titled Now let's dig an expensive hole.[12]

You are eager to cross the bridge and capture photos of the falls and take in your surroundings. Even if not for the first time, the feeling is magically the same. The motion of the bridge, the sound of the falls and the stillness that is created by a feeling of abandonment by the stone remains, glancing back at the chimney stacks and looking out to sea.

The Department of Transportation and Infrastructure is responsible for the construction and maintenance of provincial bridges. The current bridge inventory is approximately 1134 structures, which includes bridges and culverts larger than 3 meters wide.

Engineers with the department ensure that bridge structures receive regular maintenance inspections and comprehensive inspections are carried out on a bi-annual basis. Bridge rehabilitation and replacement projects are prioritized based on these inspections.

At the same time their bus was riding over a section of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge in Tampa Bay, the 608-foot Summit Venture, a freighter coming into port for phosphate, became disoriented in a sudden, unforecasted storm.

The ship hit the second pier of the bridge on the western span, where traffic was heading south, and took down almost 1,300 feet of bridge. Eight vehicles and the Greyhound bus flew off the broken bridge and fell 150 feet.

DeYoung, who grew up in St. Petersburg, was 22 years old when the tragedy happened. He left for college, became a journalist, and raised a family. But the events of May 9, 1980 never strayed far from his mind. And as a journalist, he was struck by the number of inconsistent reports about what happened.

Suddenly the women who worked in the steno pool group at Memorial University realized their detail-oriented supervisor wasn't coming back, Hudson added, and Woolco lost one of their most dedicated employees.

Willis Brown was born in Notre Dame Bay, and joined the Royal Navy during the Second World War. Once he returned home he learned how to paint cars, a trade he was known for right up until he died.

Earlier in their marriage, Janice and Cliff considered serving overseas in a humanitarian capacity as missionaries but were hesitant to pull up stakes and move their children away from their grandparents.

The first scenic bridge is also one of the most captured in photos for the Avalon region. Located in La Manche Provincial Park, which is a one hour drive outside of St. Johns, this suspension bridge has a unique history. There are many routes to get to the bridge but the shortest is a 3km out-and-back hike that is suitable for all skill levels. The majority of the hike takes place in the woods, which is peaceful and restorative, however the trail opens up to reveal a mighty suspension bridge standing above an estuary with spectacular views on each side.

The Silver Mine Head Path is part of the East Coast Trail, and is located in Torbay, only a 20 minute drive from the heart of St. Johns. The trail is a 4.2km long out and back hiking trail that is for the most part flat, making it the perfect hike for all skill levels! The hike features a lovely wooden bridge that was newly constructed in 2019. The modern slats cross over a river that runs into the Atlantic Ocean. The hike also opens up to Middle Cove Beach, which is a wonderful place for a late night oceanside fire or to watch the capelin roll in during the summer.

Clients from markets and industries across the built world rely on our interdisciplinary team of engineers, architects, and materials scientists to develop an all-around understanding of their needs, provide expert consultation on available options, and develop solutions that deliver lasting value.

Our extensive in-house laboratory and testing capabilities are second to none. With laboratories in our Austin and Cleveland offices as well as a 70,000-square-foot state-of-the-art testing and applied research facility at our Northbrook, Illinois, headquarters, we have the advanced testing and forensic capabilities to solve virtually any problem related to structures, construction materials, or manufactured components.

We strive to make a positive difference in the world by consistently setting the standard in every key aspect of our business, starting with the extraordinary people we employ. Connect directly with an expert on our team.

We regularly host webinars on interesting topics and challenges related to the built world. We encourage you to search through our library for subjects of interest to you. Watch, listen, and share with others.

Our professionals are leaders in key industry organizations and technical committees and regularly contribute to the ongoing dialogue of the built world at conferences and other educational forums. Check back soon to see where our experts will be speaking next.

A career at WJE means working alongside industry gurus to solve the most significant, interesting, and challenging problems of the built world. Whether you'd bring years of experience to our team or you're just out of school, a career at WJE may be the right choice for you.

WJE provided mechanical and electrical engineering services for this new tower drive vertical lift bridge from inception through completion. Services included development of a Bridge Design Report; preparation of plans, specifications, and cost estimates for the design of all machinery; and construction services.

The mechanical design includes all span support machinery (counterweight sheaves and bearings, counterweight ropes and terminations, and live load supports), span drive machinery (motors, brakes, couplings shafts, and speed reducers), and span locks (motors, speed reducers, lock bars, guides, and receivers). The objective of the mechanical design was to integrate the mechanical systems into the structure with minimal impact from a visual perspective, while minimizing maintenance requirements and improving overall system efficiency.

The electrical scope of the project included complete replacement of the bridge electric utility service; new standby generator service; and control system, including all field feedback devices and traffic gates. Control system technology will utilize a Programmable Logic Controller for system control and monitoring, including capability for remote monitoring and diagnostics. The span drive system utilizes digitally controlled variable speed motor drives.

3a8082e126