NEWS RELEASE

Jersey barriers installed, weight restrictions clarified on Quinpool Road CN Bridge

(Monday, August 10, 2009) - Acting on a request from CN - Eastern Region, the Halifax Regional Municipality has placed Jersey Barriers along the edge of the CN Bridge on Quinpool Road. The barriers are a safety measure to protect the concrete parapets from potential vehicle impacts.

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. Acting on additional information by engineering consultants hired by CN, HRM, as the road authority, is implementing the following amended weight restrictions, effective Tuesday, August 11, 2009 until further notice:

The maximum vehicle weights permitted are as follows:
(A) Maximum Single Unit weight of 20 tonnes; no tolerances.
(B) Maximum Two-Unit weight of 34 tonnes; no tolerances.
(C) Maximum Vehicle Train weight of 49 tonnes; no tolerances.

For purposes of this restriction, the following Definitions from the Canadian Highway Bridge Design Code apply:

1. “Single Unit” means trucks, buses, cars, and other vehicles consisting of a single unit.
2. “Two-Unit” means tractor-semitrailers, car-trailers, truck-trailers, and other vehicles consisting of two units.
3. “Vehicle Train” means tractor-trailer-trailer, tractor-semitrailer-trailer, tractor-semitrailer-semitrailer, and other vehicles consisting of three units.

The clarified weight restrictions and the installation of the Jersey Barriers will mean Metro Transit buses can, once again, safely travel across the bridge. Beginning Tuesday, August 11, 2009, the #6 Quinpool and #32 Cowie Hill will return to their normal routes.

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Contact:
Shaune MacKinlay
Manager, Public Affairs
Halifax Regional Municipality
(902) 490-6531