Second Blue Water Bridge shuts down for rehabilitation work

Cross-border commuters may face increased traffic over the next few months as rehabilitation work begins on the second span of the Blue Water Bridge.

Maintenance work is scheduled to take place from May 29 to October 22.

Federal Bridge Corporation Limited (The FBCL) Senior Communications Specialist Alexandre Gauthier said work consists of rehabilitation of the concrete sidewalk, repairs to the concrete deck of the main arch-span, waterproofing, and repaving.

"There is some work underneath the bridge as well so it will not be very visible to travellers," he said. 

The estimated cost of the project is approximately $7.9 million.

The contractor for last year's bridge project, Facca Incorporated, will undertake this year's work as well.

"It's fairly similar work. Last time as well, there was work underneath the bridge, there was repaving and waterproofing, and mostly similar work, with a few details that are different," he said.    

Last year's project involving the original span took about three months to complete, from July 5 until October 5, and finished two days ahead of schedule.

While work on the second Blue Water Bridge is underway, the original span will operate with bi-directional traffic. Wide load restrictions will also be in place, limited to less than 10 feet (three metres) in width.

"We encourage commuters to look on our website, we do have a traffic page that has some live images that update every so often. We also have a Twitter (X) feed, a Blue Water Bridge Twitter feed that updates every hour to give travellers ideas of the wait times," Gauthier said. "We thank everyone for their patience as we do this very important work."

Meanwhile, Lambton OPP are urging drivers to pay attention to their surroundings while bridge construction is underway.

"Lambton OPP will continue traffic enforcement efforts to ensure public safety for the duration of the construction project," read a media release. "Enforcement activity will be augmented with the assistance of an OPP Aviation Services airplane. Police will target vehicles that follow too closely."

*Editorial note: The story initially said the project would temporarily pause the FAST (Free and Secure Trade) Toll Lane program. However, Gauthier said the program will not be impacted during the construction of the Second Blue Water Bridge.