22-363 - RFQ-Progressive DB - QEW Garden City Skyway - Bridge Twinning Project

The existing Garden City Skyway (the “GCS”) carries the Queen Elizabeth Way (the “QEW”) over the Welland Canal at the boundary between St. Catharines and Niagara-on-the-Lake. The existing GCS is a 48-span, high-level bridge that is 2.2 km long, 28 m wide and at the highest point over the Welland Canal, the bridge is approximately 40 m high.

This bridge provides a strategic transportation and economic trade link between Canada and the Eastern Seaboard of the United States. Approximately 100,000 vehicles per day move across the GCS.

The GCS was constructed in 1963 and routine maintenance has been performed on the bridge since it was opened. Full deck rehabilitation was completed in 2002, and extensive substructure rehabilitation was completed between 2004 and 2011. To address the long-term structural, traffic safety and operational needs of the QEW crossing of the Welland Canal, the GCS will require rehabilitation to address its structural and operational needs. 

Objectives
· The Project will meet the infrastructure needs of the region and support the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe for the QEW.
· Construction of a new twin bridge structure for Toronto bound traffic north of the existing GCS.
· Complete road realignments and closures to facilitate the new bridge.
· Work with impacted stakeholders (government agencies, members of the public, utilities, etc) to complete the detailed design of the new structure, and obtain the required permits and approvals.
· Once completed, the new twinned bridge structure will temporarily receive all QEW traffic from both directions of travel while the existing GCS receives rehabilitation to extend its service life. Bridge rehabilitation on existing GCS is outside the scope of this project.
· Ensuring all roadway elements meet current standards.