The Johnson Street Bridge will begin taking shape early next month, depending on the availability of a massive crane known as the B次元官网网址淒ynamic Beast.B次元官网网址�
Project manager Jonathan Huggett presented a quarterly update to council on Thursday, placing the bridgeB次元官网网址檚 progress on schedule for the March 2018 completion date after many delays. The project has cost $92.8 million as of the end of September and by February or March safety inspections will begin, including an independent safety audit.
Huggett expects that as early as Nov. 10, the north and south rings could begin moving into place at the new bridgeB次元官网网址檚 location.
But the Beast, a giant crane capable of lifting 900 tons and owned by Dynamic Heavy Lift Ltd., has a tight booking schedule, he added. Currently in the Port of Vancouver, the crane sits on a barge 330 feet long and 120 ft. wide, leaving only 10 feet on either side to manoeuvre in the narrowest part of the waterway.
The Beast out in the waters this week. Progress is being made!
B次元官网网址� Dynamic Heavy Lift (@dynheavylift)
Once they are moved into place, each ring will be placed on the falsework, then bolted to each counterweight and aligned.
The latest job completed was the grouting on the south ring. Huggett brought a sample of the red epoxy grout that was poured into holes in the side of the ring, which is now hardened and B次元官网网址渟et like a rock.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淵ouB次元官网网址檒l probably appreciate it when you feel it, that this looks nothing like the grout you put behind the wash basin with the tiles. That groutB次元官网网址檚 life span will likely last longer than the bridge,B次元官网网址� Huggett said.
The grout helps ensure all the parts are perfectly aligned, spreads the weight across the structure and absorbs vibration.
Referring to the costs of the bridge, Coun. Geoff Young voiced concern that Huggett had not given an estimate for the fendering. Huggett said he had been given several figures but rejected each of them because they were too expensive.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 worried that youB次元官网网址檝e not told us about cost estimates that youB次元官网网址檝e rejected,B次元官网网址� Young said. B次元官网网址淭he public needs to know the bad news B次元官网网址� B次元官网网址�
The project is on track to be ready for public use by March 31, 2018.
