The Municipality of Chatham-Kent retained Dillon to complete the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment, preliminary design, detailed design and contract administration for the renewal of the Fifth Street Bridge.
The Fifth Street Bridge, constructed in the 1930s, crosses the Thames River in downtown Chatham at the forks of the Thames River and McGregor Creek. It was a Twin Leaf Rolling Lift Bascule bridge, although the bridge opening was fixed in place following repairs that were completed in 1976. The bridge carried three lanes of traffic, along with sidewalks on either side.
Dillon was assigned to determine the best long term strategy for the Fifth Street Bridge in the Community of Chatham. The study also considered the associated impacts to the bridge approaches and the King Street West intersection. The study was completed as a Schedule ‘C’ Class EA.
Based on the condition of the bridge and evaluation alternatives the preferred renewal approach was to replace the existing superstructure and rehabilitate the abutments and piers. Due to the importance of the Fifth Street Bridge to the cultural heritage landscape of downtown Chatham, the new superstructure included design elements that were ‘sympathetic’ to the unique features of the current bridge, including: new haunched steel I-girders that closely matched the aesthetics of the existing bridge and new open rail steel railings, with concrete walls at the piers and abutments similar to the existing.
The road network within the study area was reviewed to identify opportunities for improvements as part of this work. Fifth Street remained three lanes although improvements were made to the configuration of lanes and accommodation for pedestrians and cyclist. In addition, the King Street intersection was reconstructed with new traffic signals.