Today, Member of Parliament for Long Range Mountains Gudie Hutchings, Honourable Gerry Byrne, and Mayor Jim Parsons with members of Council, staff and residents celebrated the Grand Opening of Main Street Bridge. The project is a large infrastructure project for the City and was completed with the support of a federal-provincial-municipal partnership.

The over $4.35 million bridge was designed to improve stream flow and provide additional clearances to handle high water incidents. Opened to the public last December, the work involved replacing the aging bridge with a new, safer and larger bridge that incorporated an additional driving lane, modern design, updated lighting, improved aesthetics and wider sidewalks. The final decorative touches and landscaping were completed in June 2019.

The Government of Canada provided $1,452,370 for this project under the Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component of the New Building Canada Fund. The Province of Newfoundland and Labrador provided $1,597,767, while the City of Corner Brook contributed the remaining funding.

Quotes:

“Allowing for the movement of people and goods throughout the city, the Main Street Bridge is a vital transportation link connecting Corner Brook. This new bridge will offer for more efficient flow of traffic, and accommodate increased volume, connecting families, visitors, and businesses for years to come. I want to thank all that worked so hard to complete this beautiful structure, and I am very happy to be here today for the official opening of the new Main Street Bridge.”

– Gudie Hutchings, Member of Parliament, Long Range Mountains, on behalf of the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

“Critical infrastructure such as this bridge, on a main artery in the heart of downtown Corner Brook, is an example where our government has identified as a priority for partnering investment. I am delighted to champion roads, bridges, water and sewer projects, along with key recreation assets, as the focus of these priorities.”

– The Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of Fisheries and Land Resources, MHA, District of Corner Brook

“The City of Corner Brook has contributed over 1.6 million  to the Main Street Bridge replacement. We have been focussing on infrastructure projects with support of our Federal and Provincial partners. Infrastructure is the backbone of our community and plays a key role in our vision for the future of our City. This bridge represents an important link in our transportation network and provides vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians safe and easy access between east and west sections of the City. The new bridge is safer, reduces flood risk and is a long-term investment for Corner Brook. Thank you to our Federal, Provincial partners, businesses, residents, and those involved and committed to the completion of this project.”

– Jim Parsons, Mayor of Corner Brook

Bridge Features:

• The new bridge has a design life of 75 years
• Lane widths were widened to 3.5 m
• Additional driving lane was added to provide 4 lanes
• Cast in place fully integral concrete abutments which eliminated need for bridge bearings and expansion joints
• Concrete deck over steel plate girders
• Vertical clearance of bridge at centre span raised about 520 mm
• Decorative railings
• Designed to resist water and ice loading

Associated Links:

New Main Street Bridge Is Being Moved Into Position https://www.cornerbrook.com/2018/10/13062/

Main Street Bridge Closure September 4, 2018 https://www.cornerbrook.com/2018/08/news-release-main-street-bridge-closure/

Main Street Bridge Replacement Project Update https://www.cornerbrook.com/2017/11/media-release-main-street-bridge-replacement-project-update/

Infrastructure Upgrades Announcement to Corner Brook Main Street Bridge https://www.cornerbrook.com/2017/05/infrastructure-upgrades-announcement-corner-brook-main-street-bridge/

Infrastructure & Public Works Projects: Main Street Bridge https://www.cornerbrook.com/infrastructure-public-works-projects/

CONTACT:

Bonita Decaire
Information Officer ⁞ City of Corner Brook
709-637-1662 ⁞ bdecaire@cornerbrook.com

Saturday, June 15, 2019, Corner Brook 11:30 am