Project Description

The Frederick Street Bridge over Highway 7/85 will be replaced with a longer bridge to permit the highway ramps to Bruce Street and from Edna Street to be realigned in accordance with the approved plan for New Highway 7. The width of Frederick Street on the replacement bridge will be similar to the existing bridge, but modified to provide for a single traffic lane in each direction, shoulders, cycle lanes, and sidewalks. Frederick Street needs to be raised to permit construction and provide clearance for Highway 7/85 underneath it.

The Project has three significant components as follows:

1. Relocation of Bell Canada and Rogers Cable Utilities

   Bell Canada and Rogers Cable have infrastructure (ducts) attached to the existing Frederick Street bridge. Before the existing bridge can be demolished , this existing infrastructure needs to be relocated permanently. To accomplish the relocation, Bell Canada will be tunneling a new conduit for their ducts under Highway 7/85 near the ramps for Edna Street and Bruce Street. To make the connection to the conduits on Frederick Street, work will need to be completed on Ann Street and Edna Street as shown in blue on the Project Area plan. Rogers Cable will be relocated by utilizing their existing duct system.

2. Relocation of the Region of Waterloo Sanitary Forcemain

   The Spring Valley Sanitary Forcemain is located within the excavation area to lengthen the bridge along the east side of Highway 7/85. The forcemain needs to be relocated prior to replacing the Frederick Street bridge. During the planning for Highway 7 New, a forcemain realignment from the end of Ann Street near Ephraim Street to Fife Avenue to Becker Street was selected as the preferred location. To relocate and construct the forcemain other municipal services such as the local watermain, sanitary sewer and storm sewers are impacted and will be replaced. Working with the City of Kitchener, the forcemain will be relocated and Ann Street, Fife Avenue and Becker Street will be reconstructed as shown in green on the Project Area plan.

3. Replacement of the Frederick Street Bridge

   Following the relocation of the Bell Canada and Rogers Cable infrastructure and the Region of Waterloo forcemain, the replacement of the Frederick Street bridge over Highway 7/85 will begin. For the bridge construction, Frederick Street will be closed to all traffic at the bridge; however, local access to the businesses and for residents will be maintained. Following the closure of Frederick Street, the first step for the construction will be the demolition of the existing bridge, which will require a one day closure during the weekend of Highway 7/85. After the demolition, bridge construction will begin with the new abutments and piers constructed, then the placement of the temporary falsework to support the new bridge , placement of steel and concrete, and then paving of the road surface for traffic.