The Dynamic Beast returns to Victoria next week to start taking apart the old Blue Bridge and some closures are needed to ensure public safety.
Starting next week, the Dynamic Beast crane barge will return to Victoria to help decommission and remove the old Johnson Street Bridge. The massive crane barge will be parked in the marine channel under both bridges for periods of time on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. On Tuesday April 17 and Wednesday April 18, the new bridge will only be opened to vehicle, cyclist and pedestrian traffic during the morning and afternoon rush hours from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
The City's contractor PCL has estimated that the major steel lifts and necessary closures of the new Johnson Street Bridge will be as follows:
Monday April 16: Bridge closure to vehicle, cyclist and pedestrians between 5:30 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. While both bridges are raised to the up position while the Dynamic Beast crane barge positions itself in the marine channe.
Tuesday April 17: Bridge closure to vehicle, cyclist and pedestrians between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. and again from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The Dynamic Beast will lift the main span of the old bridge to disconnect it from the counterweight tower.
Wednesday April 18: Bridge closure to vehicle, cyclist and pedestrians between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. If the crane barge has not left the jobsite by 4 p.m., an additional closure after 6 p.m. may be required.
The Dynamic Beast will fully remove the main span and west span of the old bridge and set on the deck of the crane barge and then depart from the jobsite. It's possible this work could extend to Thursday if more time is needed to decommission the old bridge and similar bridge closures should be expected from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. if necessary. The dates and times above are also subject to change and are weather dependent as the steel pieces cannot be lifted during high winds.
If you want to have a look at the Blue Bridge coming down the best view of the construction activities will be from the downtown side near Reeson Park, or the Victoria West side at the waterfront walkway near the Delta Hotel.