Caledon is a town of approximately 80,000 people located northwest of Toronto in the Regional Municipality of Peel. The town has experienced significant growth in the past 10 years, and their 2024 Official Plan forecasts the town’s population to increase to 300,000 by 2051.

The town’s population growth and associated traffic has impacted its existing bridge infrastructure. The town conducts regular assessments of its bridges to assess their condition and safety. In 2021, the town retained Associated Engineering to assess four pedestrian bridges and two culverts to determine their condition and the need for rehabilitation or replacement. Project Manager, Sarvejit Nagi in our Toronto office, tells us, “After the condition assessment, we identified that Duffy’s Lane Bridge and Mill Lane Bridge on the Caledon Trailway needed maintenance.”

The Caledon Trailway follows a Canadian National Rail line built in 1877 and later abandoned. The 35 kilometre Trailway runs from the hamlet of Terra Cotta to the community of Palgrave in Caledon. Today, the multi-use trail is heavily used by the public for cycling, walking, and horseback riding.

Duffy’s Lane Bridge and Mill Lane Bridge have a length of 12.9 metres and 7.9 metres respectively, and both are 2.17 metres wide with short railings. The Town sought to rehabilitate the structures according to the Ontario Structure Inspection Manual (OSIM) reports and make the bridges structurally safe. In addition, the Town wished to replace two culverts.

“We completed preliminary design and prepared life-cycle costs, which showed that rehabilitating the bridges was more cost effective than replacing them. We subsequently prepared the detailed design for the rehabilitation, as well as applications for permit approvals, and tender documents for four of the structures.”

Without available record drawings, the team conducted surveys to capture dimensions and confirmed the design with field measurements and survey information.

Bridge Engineer, Jim Thomas, says, “We designed higher bridge railings, 1.37 metres tall, to improve safety for cyclists and pedestrians. As well, the bridges were widened to three metres to accommodate maintenance vehicles.”

Bridge Engineer, Shuhao Chen, tells us, “To improve the durability of the bridges, we specified that the timber for main structural members be Spruce-Pine-Fir (SPF), Hemlock Fir, Grade No. 2 or better.” In addition, the team specified that connections use galvanized steel lag bolts with predrilling holes to prevent timber cracking and the deck boards were fastened with GSK RSS Screws, rather than nails.”

The Town awarded the construction contract for Duffy’s Lane and Mill Lane bridges in May 2024 and retained Associated Engineering to conduct contract administration and site inspection. We also reviewed the traffic plan and coordinated the construction with adjacent road construction contractors. The team also worked with the Town to provide notices and detour maps to trail users.

Caledon’s Chief Administrative Officer, Nathan Hyde said, “In improving accessibility from the trailway to local businesses, we are supporting our strategic priority of community vitality and livability, enriching the vibrancy and liveliness of our hamlets and villages.”

Key Associated Engineering staff included Sarvejit Nagi, Shuhao Chen, Jim Thomas, Catherine Du, Hannah Murphy, Don McBrayne, and Navjot Dureja.

The post Replacing and rehabilitating structures increases safety of Caledon Trailway first appeared on Associated Engineering.

Bridge inspection and rehabilitation have been the backbone of Associated Engineering’s transportation structures services for over 40 years. Our team conducts visual inspections, structures modelling, and rehabilitation design to assist clients in preserving and extending the life of their bridges and structures inventory. We are constantly advancing the tools that we use for bridge inspections for specialized and non-destructive material testing.

On recent projects, we have employed a wide array of innovative approaches and technologies for gathering data, conducting risk analysis, prioritizing work, visualizing recommendations, as well as identifying funding options. We have completed projects from BC to Ontario and the North, including detailed condition assessments of the historic St. Andrews Lock and Dam in Manitoba and Baxter Bridge in BC, and employed drones for improved data capture and specialized timber inspection tools.

With aging infrastructure and competing needs for limited government funds, risk management, strategy, prioritization, and funding are critical considerations when establishing a bridge management approach. Owners need to undertake visual inspections, and consider bridge condition, required maintenance, repairs, rehabilitation or replacement, as well as public needs, risks, and the municipality’s overall funding.

For example, Associated Engineering has worked closely with Smoky Lake County in Alberta for almost 20 years, assisting them to manage their bridge inventory, comprising 88 bridges and culverts. A constant challenge has been securing adequate funding for bridge repairs and replacements. With approximately 4,000 residents, the County’s low tax base, large structures inventory, and recent escalating construction costs their challenges have compounded. Moreover, the County is facing aging infrastructure – many structures built between 1950 and 1970 now require immediate and significant rehabilitation.

Given these challenges, risk identification and rehabilitation prioritization are crucial. Decisions on keeping roads open or closed are based on traffic volumes, safety risks, and resident and business access needs. The County heavily relies on grant funding and provincial support, but faces competition from municipalities across the province for grants, which are often over-subscribed. Funding tends to be directed only to the most critical replacements.

To assist Smoky Lake County, Associated has supported lobbying efforts for funding key structures where closures would significantly impact the County’s economy. Identifying and targeting key assets and focusing efforts on securing funding for their maintenance and rehabilitation have been important components of the County’s bridge management strategy, and maintaining the network’s level of service through funding constraints. Our collective efforts have resulted in funding for crucial bridge replacements, that would not have been possible without our strategic approach.

Associated’s experience with the City of Kelowna showcases the benefits of a proactive bridge management strategy. We have assisted the City of Kelowna in managing their bridge inventory since the early 1990s, focusing initially on thorough inspections and detailed maintenance lists. These efforts identified repairs, rehabilitation, or replacement projects, following the BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure‘s system.

In 2018, we introduced a new inspection rating process for Kelowna. This innovative system assessed the condition of bridge elements and evaluated the relevancy of observed defects, measuring their impact on the structure’s performance. By developing a comprehensive risk profile for each bridge and its defects, we prioritized repairs based on the risk they posed to the City and its residents.

Incorporating factors such as Average Daily Traffic (ADT) allowed us to refine our prioritization further, ensuring funds are directed to the most critical projects. Over the past six years, this risk-based approach has enabled Kelowna to implement an aggressive bridge rehabilitation program. The condition of the city’s bridges has improved significantly, shifting from reactive to proactive maintenance strategies. This transformation not only enhances public safety, but also ensures the longevity and reliability of Kelowna’s bridge infrastructure.

The experiences of Smoky Lake County and the City of Kelowna underscore the importance of tailored strategies in bridge management. Whether facing funding challenges or managing a well-funded inventory, Associated’s ability to assess risks, prioritize, innovate, and strategically plan are critical to a bridge management approach that provides safe and reliable infrastructure for communities and delivers value to our clients.

About the Author:

Michael Paulsen, M.Sc., P.Eng. is Vice President, Transportation Structures and a structural engineer with over 20 years of experience. He has been involved in a wide variety of projects, including roadway, pedestrian, heavy rail, and LRT bridges. Michael’s experience includes concept, preliminary and detailed design, project management, asset management, planning, load-ratings and bridge assessment studies.

The post Bridge Management: Strategic approach delivers value first appeared on Associated Engineering.

Associated Engineering is proud to be a supporting sponsor of the Canadian-Pacific Conference on Earthquake Engineering being held in Vancouver this week, bringing in experts from all over the world to share ideas on making our societies more resilient amid threats from earthquakes. 

In addition to serving on the conference’s organizing committee, Jason Dowling, Structural Engineer, will be presenting twice in the technical program on June 27th. Grant Fraser, Structural Engineer, will also take part in a breakout session on June 28th.

—–

Tuesday, June 27

10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Session 1B- Risk and Loss Assessment
Junior Ballroom AB, Third Level
Seismic Resiliency of the Ministry’s Critical and Key Routes – A Highway 99 Pilot Study
Presenter: Jason Dowling

6:30 PM – 6:40 PM
Special Session – Discussing the Causes and Aftereffects of 6 February 2023 Turkey Earthquake
Grand Ballroom AB, Grand Ballroom Level, North Tower
Bridge Site Observations from the February 2023 Türkiye Earthquakes
Presenter: Jason Dowling

Wednesday, June 28

3:30 PM – 5:00 PM
Session 6E- Retrofit Project
Junior Ballroom D, Third Level
Seismic Isolation and Half-Joint Elimination of Cambie Bridge in Vancouver, BC 
Presenter: Grant Fraser

The post Associated at CCEE-PCEE 2023 first appeared on Associated Engineering.

Associated Engineering is proud to support this year’s International Conference on Short and Medium Span Bridges, hosted in Toronto, ON from July 19th to 22nd. In addition to being a Gold Sponsor of the 11th edition of this prestigious global gathering of bridge designers, specifiers, contractors, owners, and researchers, we are honoured to have many members of our bridges and transportation structures practices selected to participate in the technical program, as authors and presenters. We are also pleased to highlight the keynote speaker on July 21st, is our Past Vice President of Transportation Structures, Don Kennedy. We hope everyone enjoys the networking and learning about the latest developments with many peers in the bridge community!

Associated staff participating in the technical program:

Tuesday, July 19
15:20 – 17:00
Short Course #6
Ultra-High Performance Concrete (UHPC) – Design and Construction Material Attributes for Bridges in Canada
Speaker: Katrin Habel


Wednesday, July 20
10:40 – 11:00
Advancing Canadian Highway Bridge Design Code Hydrotechnical Provisions
Co-author: John van der Eerden

11:00 – 11:20
Prince Edward Viaduct Inspection, Assessment, and Renewal 
Co-authors: Dan MacDonald-Lockhart, Sarvejit Nagi, Don Kennedy 
Presenter: Dan MacDonald-Lockhart

11:40 – 12:00
Calibration of New Design Wind and Ice Loads for Canadian Highway Bridge Design Code Based on Ultimate Return Period and Considering Climate Change Effects
Co-author: Don Kennedy

13:30 – 13:50 
Field Study of Stable Unbonded-Fiber Reinforced Elastomeric Bearings
Co-author: Dan MacDonald-Lockhart

16:00 – 16:20
St. Andrews Lock and Dam Bridge Deck Replacement and Strengthening
Co-authors: Justine Meyers, Craig Schaper
Co-presenter: Justine Meyers

16:40 – 17:00
Constructability Consideration for Bridge Design and Optimization 
Co-authors: Helen Du, David Harvey 
Presenter: Helen Du


Thursday, July 21

8:30 – 9:50
Climate Change Adaption for Transportation Structures – Its Impact on the Canadian Highway Bridge Design Code and Evolving Practice
Keynote Speaker: Don Kennedy

11:20 – 11:40
New Life for Aging Infrastructure
Co-authors: Katrin Habel, David Harvey
Presenter: Katrin Habel

11:20 – 11:40
The Duggan Bridge Replacement 
Author: Rowan Shields
Presenter: Rowan Shields

11:20 – 11:40 
Seismic Shear Design of Reinforced Concrete Columns in The CHBDC 
Co-author: Don Kennedy

11:40 – 12:00
Fires, Floods, & Ice Jams – A Decade of Bridge Asset Management & Disaster Recovery in Fort McMurray, AB
Author: Sara Wadlow
Presenter: Sara Wadlow

11:40 – 12:00
Widening of the Anthony Henday Drive North Saskatchewan River Bridge 
Co-authors: Lathan Arasaratnam, Michael Paulsen 
Presenter: Drew Teal

14:30 – 14:50
Bulkley River Bridge —Engineering path for prolonging the service life of a 55-year old timber bridge
Co-authors: Julien Henley, Dale Harrison
Presenter: Julien Henley

16:00 – 16:20
The Design Challenges of the new Haisla Bridge Replacement 
Co-authors: Winnie Li, Jason Dowling, Nik Cuperlovic
Presenter: Winnie Li

16:20 – 16:40
Widening of Westbound Stoney Trail Crossing Over the Bow River 
Co-authors: Drew Teal, Lathan Arasaratnam, Michael Paulsen 
Presenter: Drew Teal


Friday, July 22

14:10 – 14:30
Crowchild Trail Bridge over Bow River – Widening and Rehabilitation 
Co-authors: David Nagy, David Harvey 
Presenter: David Nagy

15:40 – 16:00
Bridge Inspections Using Established RPAS Workflow
Author: Chris Schmelzle
Presenter: Chris Schmelzle

16:00 – 16:20
City of Moose Jaw Thunderbird Viaduct Rehabilitation
Co-authors: Stephen Chiasson, Alex Lyon
Presenter: Stephen Chiasson

16:20 – 16:40
Seismic Assessment of Roger Pierlet Bridge
Co-authors: Kiarash Kaveh, Jason Dowling
Presenter: Kiarash Kaveh

The post Gold Sponsor of the 11th International Conference on Short and Medium Span Bridges first appeared on Associated Engineering.

In high school, Sarvejit Nagi, Manager of our Bridges & Structures team in Toronto, was a high performing student in mathematics and physics. He also enjoyed building structures with Lego. These combined interests led Sarvejit to pursue a degree in civil/structural engineering. While at the University of Toronto, Sarvejit was mentored by a professor who specialized in reinforced concrete and steel design, which fostered his interest in structures. He also credits his sister, who runs a pharmaceutical consulting business, with providing mentorship.

As an engineering graduate, Sarvejit took on roles in materials inspection and as a construction assistant superintendent. Eventually, positions arose in structural inspection and bridge design. Sarvejit recalls, “I worked hard to improve my bridge design skills and was offered a permanent position as a transportation design engineer, which was a rare opportunity at the time.”

He tells us, “The first structural drawing I sealed was a tall cantilever retaining wall; this was a personal milestone.” Since, then Sarvejit has gained experience with more complex designs; each has given him a sense of satisfaction, particularly in-slab and beam-type bridges and three grade-separated rail bridges. 

After eight years with Caltrans, the California Department of Transportation Engineering Services, Sarvejit pursued positions in consulting engineering, motivated by the faster-paced environment. 

About eight years ago, Sarvejit became aware of Associated Engineering.

“I reviewed some of Associated’s engineering documents and appreciated the technical content. I was attracted to Associated by the quality of the work.”

Since joining the company in 2016, he says the management team, opportunity for personal development, growth, planning, and collaboration has kept him excited about working at Associated.

Some of Sarvejit’s project highlights include the Don River Boulevard Bridge Replacement; multiple (ten) bridge repairs in Toronto; and Steeles Avenue Rehabilitation; and Prince Edward Viaduct and Rosedale Valley Viaduct Rehabilitation. In particular, the luminous veil was an enormous undertaking, with a well-planned bridge inspection that led to evaluations, design, and construction administration. Working on the Owner’s Engineer team for the $1.88 billion Regina Bypass project was another highlight. 

“Our staff are our most valuable resource. We need to guide them in their career paths, provide mentorship, and share our experiences.”

As a Senior Structural Engineer and manager, Sarvejit says, “I enjoy seeing our staff grow and develop, including technical staff and Engineers-in-Training to Professionals. If you instill trust in staff, provide them with interesting and challenging projects and guidance, they can and will deliver.” Sarvejit believes in keeping communication open with staff, collaborating with other disciplines, providing support, and identifying key design considerations in their solutions. 

“My approach to working with clients and project delivery is to seek client input on the design, and understand their concerns and risks, so that the design meets their requirements.” 

Outside of work, Sarvejit is an avid sports fan, and a longtime Toronto Maple Leafs supporter. He enjoys tennis, golf, and badminton, and loves the outdoors and spending time with family and friends. He is also a member of a motorcycle club that supports local charities in Ontario.

The post Making connections has been key to Sarvejit Nagi’s career in consulting engineering first appeared on Associated Engineering.