Both aesthetic and engineering concerns must be addressed in bridge rehabilitation and seismic retrofits. Minimizing traffic interruptions places a premium on ingenuity.
Sandwell's bridge rehabilitation services have ranged from diving inspection of piers to the design and construction supervision of bridge widenings, deck repairs or replacement, and full bridge rehabilitation.
We are active in seismic retrofitting projects around British Columbia. Services include detailed structural reviews, dynamic analyses, and developing and implementing retrofitting schemes for increasing bridge service capacity or improving seismic performance.

Ministry of Transportation & Highways, Hope, British Columbia
Historic bridge rehabilitation
Sandwell carried out a seismic upgrade and widening of the 80-year-old Fraser River Bridge at Hope, B.C. The three-year assignment began with a comprehensive condition inspection, followed by a study in which rehabilitating the existing bridge was established as the most cost-effective alternative. The final stage involved replacing the deck on the main spans with a wider structure, and was accomplished with only brief closures during construction.

Metro Toronto Transportation Department, Toronto, Ontario
Bridge rehabilitation
The rehabilitation of the turn-of-the-century Rosedale Valley section of the Prince Edward Viaduct incorporated specially designed pre-cast concrete handrail units created to match the appearance, texture and finish of the originals.

Vancouver Airport Authority, Vancouver, British Columbia
Seismic upgrade
Crossing the Fraser River, the Arthur Laing Bridge links Vancouver and its airport. Sandwell upgraded the bridge to current seismic code levels in three stages. The first two involved strengthening the foundations and connections of the box girders to the columns, while the third investigated potential soil liquefaction around the piers, and associated ground improvements. Sandwell's design included an innovative lock-up device to restrict bridge movement during an earthquake while allowing the normal expansion and contraction associated with changing weather conditions.