Lapie Bridge #2 Replacement

Project Summary

Formula was contracted to construct a new two-lane clear span bridge across the Nordenskiold River, approximately 2 km south of Carmacks, Yukon.

The project involved replacing the existing 39.5m Double-Single Acrow Bailey Bridge with a new 45m clear span bridge. Key tasks included:

• Drilled pile foundations at each abutment
• Installation of six elastomeric sandwich-style bearings
• Construction of a steel superstructure with three girder lines
• Precast concrete abutments, deck, ballast walls, wing walls, and approach slabs
• Fabrication and installation of steel bridge rails, pedestrian fence, and approach guiderails
• Cast-in-place rock-lined drain troughs at all four bridge corners
• Bridge end fills and associated road works

Our crews faced numerous challenges but also achieved significant milestones throughout the project.

Challenges:

1. Remote Location: The project's remote location made it difficult to procure materials, tools, and rentals on short notice.
2. Concrete: Initial attempts to use a pre-bagged concrete mix failed in 10 trial pours. As a result, crews hand-mixed 1,350 bags of grout as an alternative.
3. Camp Permitting: Yukon’s strict construction camp permitting policies resulted in additional project challenges.

Achievements:

1. Community Engagement: We built strong relationships with local residents in Ross River, engaging them for gravel haul, low-bedding, garbage and sanitary collection, and janitorial services.
2. Engineering Excellence: High-quality in-house engineering facilitated the successful launch of the new steel superstructure.
3. Timely Completion: Despite concrete challenges and a delay of approximately four weeks, we achieved substantial completion before winter weather set in.

This project exemplifies Formula's commitment to quality, community engagement, and overcoming challenges in complex bridge construction projects across western Canada.