IPD Bridge Construction in Kingston

Kingston, Ontario will be partnering with contractors and designers to build a CA $180 million bridge through the integrated project delivery method per Global News. This is the very first time that the IPD model is being used in North America for bridge construction. City officials will have a seat at the builder's table before and after construction starts on this bridge crossing. This is very different from how past projects have been handled once contracts have been awarded. The bridge span will be 1.1 kilometre long and will link John Counter Boulevard and Gore Road.

Peter Kiewit Sons ULC, Hatch Ltd. and SYSTRA International Bridge Technologies have been chosen to design and build the fixed link bridge which will be situated midway between the LaSalle Causeway and Highway 401 on the Cataraqui River. 

"An IPD model is a relatively new innovative concept in infrastructure that has helped large infrastructure projects across North America be completed on time and under budget."

Deputy Commissioner of Transportation and Infrastructure | Mark Van Buren

Mr. Van Buren stated that unlike traditional design-build models, the IPD team brings together the bridge designer/contractor and the bridge's owner, plus city experts, to develop goals at the project's outset, share information and accept their responsibilities as equal partners.

"The entire team shares the financial risk and reward as an integrated team and participates in meaningful collaboration through co-location and shoulder-to-shoulder working relationships. The city's ongoing involvement - wearing one of the white hard hats during the construction phase - will also allow the municipality to explore innovation and opportunities for efficiency during detailed design, and to have access to a builder's practicality, promoting an overall efficient construction phase."

Deputy Commissioner of Transportation and Infrastructure | Mark Van Buren

Kiewit won the contract over several other competitors such as Chandos Construction, Dragados Canada Inc., Graham Construction and Engineering LP, Kingston Integrated Transit Solutions (Ellis Don), Kingston Third Crossing Partners (Astaldi) and Pomerleau Inc. Kiewit scored 91 points out of 100 based on a standard evaluation criteria compared to 83 points for Graham Contruction and 77 for Pomerleau.

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Construction will include two lanes for vehicle traffic and a third lane for pedestrians and cycling.

The city will be paying one-third of the funding share and the provincial and federal governments will each contribute $60 million. The provincial commitment wasoriginally made by the previous Liberal government in June of 2017 and city officials will honor that commitment. The funding agreement was formally signed this past July.

Construction will consist of building a temporary bridge into the river to provide equipment and supplies for the piers and decking of the permanent structure. The new two lane bridge (including the multi-use pedestrial/cycling lane) will serve many purposes, such as:

 - Improve emergency response service

 - Shorten commute times

 - Reduce congestion on existing river crossings

 - Promote active transportation

 - Bolster economic growth and expand business connections on the east and west sides of the river

Parks Canada, which controls the waterway, will be giving the final approval for the construction. The Cataraqui River is part of the historic Rideau Canal system and is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. l

According to Construction Dive, bridge construction could begin as early as mid 2019 with anticipated completion by the end of 2022 and is expected to employ hundreds of construction workers. Mark Van Buren stated that this collaborative team will ensure that the best bridge possible will be built for all residents while helping to meet their long term transportation goals.