Another fine video, Bob. I would like to clarify what you said in the video, so that others may not be confused. The mid-span closure section is not one piece which will be dropped into place. It will be made up of 2 edge girders, 2 floor beams, 9 redundancy girders, 12 precast concrete panels, and 12 soffit panels. The mid-span closure is installed just like all the other sections have been installed, except that there are no stay cables. This process will takes days to complete.
Hi Steve. Good catch. You are 100% right, I knew it would be built similar to the others so don't know why I described it that way. My bad. Thanks for the heads up on this one Steve.
Bob, great video. I am learning a lot about Windsor, ON because of your videos. I bet the connection will be done July 2 & 3 to celebrate our two countries.
I used to live in one of the North suburbs. I've been through the Tunnel and over the Ambassador Bridge more times than I can count. Seeing the connection is going to be a WONDERFUL day! And the complex feeding the new bridge. What a TON of work! Thank you, Bob for sharing with all of us, especially those of us that have connections with SE Michigan, who can't see the progress like you can!
I’m a retired electronics engineer, but went to school with a lot of civil guys. What great videos! Amazing how this design allows for starting two spans on opposite sides of the river. So cool! Thanks!
Wow, thanks! Hi quietcanadian. Very interesting to watch and learn, for me I mean. The bridge is a very interesting subject to record. Thanks for the post.
Thank you Joekielbowich. I appreciate the support. I get trolled by some of those, trying to intimidate me with threats of law suits and reports to the authorities. Even contacted my Broker to stop me. Quite a compliment really. :)
Fantastic video. I think Baltimore need to get in touch with these bridge builders to replace their Key bridge. These guys seem to know what and how to build a bridge.
Last week the spans weren't level but now they are. I can't find any information about how they were lined up horizontally in order for the mid-span closure to begin as you describe.
I'm not very knowledgable about this stuff, but I assume they can adjust the bridge deck quite a bit with the cable stays. The bridge deck sections are compressed against each other with the cable stays same as the road deck cable stays putting the load back to the towers. Right now they are alinging the two bridge decks with steel beams. I posted a few pictures today.
Modern technology or not it’s still amazing you can start at two sides meeting in the middle with such precision. It’s amazing that there is no side sway in the road deck because of how far out it hangs from the towers. Or is there?
Hi Fleetwoodjohn. Yup. There is sway. From what I found. After reading your post I did some searches and this is what I found. There is expected to be some side sway or lateral movement in the road deck of the Gordie Howe Bridge due to its long main span of 853 meters (0.53 miles), which will be the longest main span of any cable-stayed bridge in North America. Cable-stayed bridges are designed to have a certain amount of flexibility and movement to withstand wind and other environmental forces. The cables that support the deck are slightly angled, allowing for some lateral movement while still providing the necessary strength and stability. However, the bridge is engineered with various measures to minimize excessive swaying and ensure a smooth driving experience: The cables are being carefully tensioned and adjusted to control the amount of sway. Temporary bracing pieces have been installed to hold the two sides of the bridge deck in alignment during construction until the permanent steel girders and additional bracings are put in place. Sensors will be installed to monitor the bridge's movements and make any necessary adjustments to the cable tensions. The bridge deck will have railings and an overlay surface added, which will further contribute to its overall stability and dampen any residual swaying. So while some lateral movement is expected and accounted for in the design, the Gordie Howe Bridge incorporates various engineering measures to keep the sway within acceptable limits for a comfortable driving experience across its record-breaking main span. Thanks for the question! We learn everyday and your question taught me something cool. The bridge deck will always have a sway. I imagine it will make some quezy on windy days. Lol.
I don’t live anywhere near there, but I think it would be cool if it was closed as you suggested, in early July, between the two holidays of the respective countries.
The Gordie Howe bridge will boast the longest main span of any cable-stayed bridge in North America. Also, this will be the only connection between Detroit and Windsor that allows uninterrupted freeway traffic flow by directly connecting Highway 401 in Windsor to Interstate 75 in Detroit. Currently, you cannot pass through Windsor without having to travel through city streets.
Even with the Ambassador and the Tunnel, trucks often back up crossing the bridge sometimes for miles waiting to cross. Literally. The Gordie Howe Bridge will take the congestion away from the city and allow traffic to flow freely.
Just watched this on my big screen tv. Fantastic photography. You presented an interesting question about the joining spans. It would be fitting for the Canadian side July 3 and the American side July 4. They'll [probably do the spans sooner but the concrete slabs later.
July 1st to 3th would be best However. Bob there is a video on the cbc website showing the steelworkers walking out and shaking hands in the middle of the beam. Another Great video A La Prochaine my friend
That rolling scaffold should have brakes on it. Many rolling ladders do. It looks super sketchy when he is trying to put his weight into fitting some of that metal and that scaffold starts rolling......
Detroi-Windsor already is the busiest and the new bridge could make it even busier. The Ambassador bridge is not being torn down as was initially expected.
SteveR59 is right. The Ambassador is the busiest border crossing into the US. Trucks back up, sometimes for miles waiting to cross. The Gordie Howe should fix the bottleneck problem at the Ambassador.
Hi valamaas. Yes we are in a temperate climate. Don't get swimmers, current can be pretty nasty. Boaters are on the river all the time. No notable illegal crossing that I am aware of in this area. We do have very mild winters.
Hope the opening is formally closed on July 1 as Canada paid for and had to deal with the Ambassador Bridge Companies decades of legal battles trying to control ownership of all crossings. Now this bridge will no longer be privately owned but a shining example of the co-operation between both governments and NOT the Marron family owners of the Ambassador bridge.
And now two steel beams cross the international border. Connecting the decks around the first week of July would be a good way to celebrate two national holidays.
Hi Mike. How ya doing? I don't think so. There is going to be some kind of artsy display from local artists or something. I will do a search and see what I can find. Glad your here, Bro.
The flags seem to come and go. Recently the Canadian flag got larger than it had been. Sometimes there have been other flags, most likely union flags, flying under these 2 flags.
It maybe unlikely but would you know or can find out if there going to paint the towers at all, the sit plan shows the towers a bright white. The concert towers is a ugly blend of grays, some white paint would do it justice.
Good to see so much of the Canadian approach deck poured, too. The Michigan side seems to be lagging a bit, but hey, if once they finish it, they need to maybe they could bring some of the Canadian rebar team over the bridge?
