The Dynamic Beast crane barge will be parked in the marine channel under the Johnson Street bridge Saturday and Sunday in order to lift three major pieces of steel into the new bridge?s bascule pier.
The large crane came through Victoria’s harbour Friday morning.
“On the west coast of America, this is one of the biggest that’s available out there,” said Johnson Street Bridge project manager Jonathan Huggett.
“For the first time, people are going to start seeing the pieces of the bridge, in their final locations. So that’s exciting”
On Friday afternoon, the rings (the pivot points of the bridge) and the lower counterweight were placed onto the crane barge at the Point Hope Shipyard in preparation to install the steel pieces throughout the weekend.
The rings will be fixed into place Saturday morning.
This will mean there will be closures to the working bridge this weekend.
Saturday
- 8:30 ? 10:30 a.m. ? the Dynamic Beast crane barge will position itself under the existing bridge and lift the lower counterweight into place
- 11 a.m. ? 1 p.m. ? the Dynamic Beast will lift the north ring into place
Sunday
- 11 a.m. ? 1 p.m. – the Dynamic Beast crane barge will lift the south ring into place and then depart the harbour
The dates and times above are subject to change and are weather dependent as the steel pieces cannot be lifted during high winds.
Victoria Harbour Ferry has brought some of its fleet out of winter rest to help passengers who cross the Johnson Street Bridge on a daily basis.
From 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Victoria Harbour Ferry will provide ferry service to and from Delta Hotel Dock, Regent Hotel, Causeway Floats (Empress Dock) for a fare of $2 one-way.
“We just want to make sure no is left stranded without being able to get downtown,” said Barry Hobbis, Victoria Harbour Ferry.
The new bridge is set to be open to traffic by March 2018.
Isabelle Raghem
