Surespan, working with Government of Yukon Community Services and Infrastructure Development, completed the bridge rehabilitation over the Pelly River. The original bridge was constructed by the US Army in 1944 to support the Canol Oil Pipeline, which carried oil from Norman Wells to the refinery in Whitehorse. Surespan’s crew, working in temperatures below -40 degrees Celsius, constructed an ice bridge to support a 110-ton crane and provide access to both sides of the project site.
A new cable substructure was built, including driven piles and large concrete counterweights. The original bridge superstructure was removed in sections before transferring the main cables to the new substructure. The new superstructure featured a treated timber truss system, new hanger cables, and a new wind cable system. The entire bridge construction project was successfully completed under winter conditions, showcasing Surespan’s ability to deliver complex infrastructure projects even in extreme environments.
