BLM was put in charge during this project by the client of budget and schedule management, HR coordination, production of deliverables, etc. Underwater inspections were also carried out.

Location

International Bridge between Fort Erie,Ontario and Buffalo USA – 2006 and 2012

Client

Canadian National and other rail company (ViaRail, ONR, SCFG)

Nature of the mandate

Complete inspection of the bridge support units. Since 2001, we have performed more than 30 annual bridge inspections on behalf of the C.N.

Service rendered

• Visual inspection of the structure with simultaneous video recording.
• Complete sonar bathymetry of the structure upstream and downstream the river and 3D model of the seabed.
• Complete inspection of the eight (8) deck support units.
• Production of a detailed technical report including three-dimensional modelling of each of the units and the seabed.

Challenges and solutions

One of the main problems of inspecting this structure was the major current of the Niagara River. This problem has led us to develop specific techniques for moving safely in major currents. For this contract, we have also improved extremely precise data collection methods allowing us to produce 3D models which perfectly reflect the reality. Data collection was done with the traditional way combined with computerized data captured by sonar.