This paper was presented at the session titled `Unique bridges: unique renewals in the public eye'. This paper describes the implementation and progress of the rehabilitation of an 85-year-old closed spandrel arch structure in the heart of downtown Ottawa, Ontario. It is located adjacent to the Parliament of Canada, museums and other important tourist attractions. The site is also an important transportation node for the local business core. This resulted in a necessity for a discreet communications plan which is also interdependent with the traffic operations planning and construction staging. The site was the location of the first bridge in downtown Ottawa or Bytown, as it was known at the time. Colonel John By of the Royal Engineers, the founder of Ottawa, built the first bridge, Sappers' Bridge. Because of its history, archaeological studies were undertaken with the result that important findings being discovered. These findings have been preserved in keeping with the context of the overall rehabilitation plan. The project included the restoration of some of the important elements of the past while at the same time rejuvenated some elements to bring them in line with current safety and security requirements. Details of the design features as well as an overall description of the reconstruction are provided. The result of this renewal project is a bridge that is in keeping with the heritage of this site, one that revives the tradition of grand structures in the core of Ottawa, and one that will enhance and make this place more liveable and comfortable for all passing or staying in the site. (A)
Abstract