Kingston announces Kiewit, Hatch team to build new bridge

KINGSTON, ONT. — The City of Kingston has selected a team consisting of Peter Kiewit Sons ULC, Hatch Ltd. and SYSTRA International Bridge Technologies as the preferred proponent for the detailed design and building of the Third Crossing bridge project to span the Cataraqui River.

Work is expected to start next month with early site preparation, which will continue through to December 2019, said an Aug. 22 statement.

The project team will be conducting additional environmental and geotechnical investigations as part of this work with Parks Canada, working through design validation. Construction of the bridge is expected to begin in summer 2019.

The city has chosen an Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) model for the project. IPD is similar to design-build, said the statement, except that the City of Kingston will work with the contracted design and construction partners within the defined $180-million budget and “share the risk and reward to deliver the best possible bridge…and develop shared goals and accept responsibilities as equal partners,” the statement indicated. The Third Crossing bridge to be the first in North America to use an IPD model, the release added.

Once complete the 1.2-kilometre, two-lane bridge will extend over the Cataraqui River connecting the east side and west side communities.

Communication and engagement programs will be part of the bridge’s detailed design and construction phases later in 2018 and into 2019, the statement indicated.

The project is being jointly funded by the Government of Canada, the Province of Ontario and the City of Kingston.

The Kiewit, Hatch and SYSTRA team was one of three shortlisted proponents to submit a proposal on the bridge project. Seven international teams initially applied for the contract when requests for proposals were issued in February 2018.

“Today is another significant step in moving this project forward,” said Mayor Bryan Paterson. “This is the largest infrastructure project our city will undertake for years to come, employing hundreds of people over several years. I am just thrilled and excited to get construction started.”