The collapse of the Imperial Road Bridge in Port Bruce, Ontario, in 2018 brought an immediate end to the only direct route between the north and south sides of the town, resulting in a lengthy detour and increased response times for emergency vehicles. With an immediate need for a temporary solution to restore traffic flow until the replacement of the bridge was complete, Elgin County contracted Acrow to design and supply a single-lane modular steel detour structure. The prefabricated bridge was assembled and installed in six weeks, with the county opting to purchase the structure for reuse on future projects.

As the new bridge construction in Port Bruce neared completion, Elgin County repurposed Acrow’s structure for permanent replacement of the structurally deficient Meeks Bridge in the Township of Southwold, some 30 kilometres away. The decision followed the recommendation of the project’s engineering consultant, CIMA+, as the preferred alternative over rehabilitation of the 120-year-old bridge.

The modular structure was dismantled, reconfigured and transported to the Meeks Bridge location, and then constructed by Clearwater Structures. The bridge was shortened and widened to 2 lanes for the permanent application, with a complete TL4 highway guard rail system added. Like all Acrow products, Meeks Bridge is designed and manufactured for a service life of 75-100 years with minimal maintenance requirements.

Acrow’s versatile modular steel structures are durable infrastructure assets ideal for permanent or temporary applications. Combining a long history of engineering and manufacturing excellence with components that are easily transported and rapidly assembled and disassembled, Acrow offers innovative solutions to the most unique and challenging projects.