NEWS RELEASE

Weight Restrictions Placed On CN Bridge on Quinpool Road

(Thursday, July 16, 2009) - Upon advice from CN - Eastern Region, Halifax Regional Municipality is placing weight restrictions on the CN bridge near the base of Quinpool Road.

Constructed in 1916, the bridge is showing the effects of age, heavy traffic flow and weight. As such, steps must be taken to limit the size and weight of vehicles that cross over it until such time as structural improvements can be made or the bridge can be replaced. As the road authority, HRM is implementing the following restrictions, as recommended by CN, effective Friday, July 17:

• Single axle: 7,000 kilograms
• Tandem axles: 13,000 kilograms
• Tridem axles: 18,000 kilograms

In addition, concrete Jersey barriers will be placed on both sides of the bridge. While CN has informed HRM that there is no indication of bridge failure, the barriers will protect the concrete parapets along the sides of the bridge from potential vehicle impacts.

The weight restrictions will mean Metro Transit buses will be re-routed. Beginning Friday morning, Routes #6 Quinpool and #32 Cowie Hill, as well as the Special Shuttle Bus (outbound only) to the Tall Ships and KISS concert this weekend will detour off Quinpool Road travelling via Connaught Avenue and Chebucto Road to the Armdale round-about and onward. Specific details of the transit detours will be available online at www.halifax.ca/metrotransit or by calling the HRM Call Centre at 490-4000.

Efforts are being made to provide truck operators with the restrictions in a timely fashion.

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Contact:

Shaune MacKinlay
Manager, Public Affairs
(902) 490-6531