May 9, 2008 -- Customers of the International Bridge will see evidence of a comprehensive deck study taking place this summer, beginning with visual inspections on May 12, which may result in brief delays.
This initial inspection will involve use of equipment both above and below the bridge deck. Later this month, a consultant contractor will be using an infrared thermographic unit to examine the bridge deck.
"We had initially planned to use ground-penetrating radar on the bridge deck, but that would not have been effective on all portions of the bridge," said Karl Hansen, International Bridge Administration (IBA) bridge engineer. "Infrared thermography will give us a very accurate look at the integrity of the deck concrete."
Both the initial inspection and the infrared thermographic examination will require intermittent lane closures with flag control.
"This is just one of many maintenance and repair activities planned this summer in which IBA employees and contractors will be working on the bridge," said Phil Becker, IBA general manager. "I urge bridge users to drive within the posted speed limit, and to use extra caution when in a work zone."
Based on the results of this work, core samples from the bridge deck will be taken in June. The IBA will use results of the entire study to determine an action plan for future deck maintenance, which may require repairs, an overlay, or complete replacement.
Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge: Bridging Our Past, Connecting Our Future
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