The Red River Floodway around the City of Winnipeg was constructed in the 1960s as a result of a major flood event in 1950. The original Floodway is 29 miles long with an average bottom width of 450 feet, flow depth of 30 feet, and design discharge of 60,000 cfs. Six highways and six railway lines cross the Floodway. In 1997, the third largest Red River flood in recorded history passed through Winnipeg with a peak flow of 140,000 cfs. Approximately one half of this flood was diverted through the Floodway. A post-1997 study recommended increasing the Floodway capacity from 60,000 cfs to 140,000 cfs. A pre-design study of all highway and railway bridges was undertaken in 2003/2004 and included load rating and life cycle costing analysis. The study results recommended the replacement of all highway bridges and one railway bridge and the raising, lengthening, and retrofitting of five railway bridges. The final design and construction began in 2005 with Dillon Consulting Limited as the lead consultant in association with EarthTech; ND LEA; UMA, and Wardrop. For the covering abstract of this conference see ITRD number E216511.
Abstract