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This fall, the Campbellford Bridge will undergo nightly closures for about three weeks to accommodate much-needed repairs, says Northumberland County.

The county says it needs to replace the expansion joints on the Campbellford Bridge on Bridge Street (County Road 8).

“While the Campbellford Bridge remains safe to use, it’s important to replace the expansion joints now, to reduce traffic noise and prevent further damage,” said Denise Marshall, the county’s director of public works.

The Campbellford Bridge is “a vital community link,” which serves residents and other traffic travelling through Campbellford and across the Trent River/Trent-Severn Waterway. The county will be replacing the bridge expansion joints to prevent damage to the bridge, reduce traffic noise, and ensure a smooth transition for vehicles crossing the bridge, she added.

The expansion joint replacement project is expected to start mid-September or early October, and run for about three weeks. During construction, the Campbellford Bridge will be closed nightly to traffic from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.

“Traffic closures are never ideal but completing the work during the nighttime will help limit the overall impact,” said Marshall. “We reviewed a number of options and selected nightly closures as the option with the least inconvenience to residents.”

During the nightly bridge closures, traffic will be redirected northward through Healy Falls, Crowe River Bridge and Petherick’s Corners, using a combination of county and Trent Hills roads.

Members from the county said that while the bridge will be closed to vehicle traffic at night, one sidewalk will remain open to pedestrians and construction crews will have provisions in place to temporarily reopen one lane for use by emergency services vehicles as necessary.

They added the expansion joints, at either end of the bridge, provide a gap allowing the bridge to expand and contract with temperature changes. Rubber seals in the joints prevent water infiltration and steel-in-the-joint assemblies protect the concrete bridge deck ends from damage caused by vehicles.

Expansion joint assemblies deteriorate over time due to the impacts of traffic and weather. Depending on conditions, expansion joints are typically replaced every 15 to 30 years.

With new joints installed, nearby residents will notice a reduction in noise and motorists will benefit from a smooth transition with minimal vehicle vibration, all while protecting the bridge from future damage, the county says.

For more information, residents are encouraged to visit www.northumberland.ca.

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