Metrolinx removing Simcoe Street bridge over rail tracks, one beam at a time

Five months into a two-year closure of Oshawa’s man street on either side of the bridge over the CPKC tracks brings the first major milestone – the removal of the existing bridge, one beam at a time.

The full closure of Simcoe Street from Avenue Street to Albany Street – jut south of Olive Avenue – began in January with two years required to rebuild the bridge over the CPKC tracks that will lead into the planned new Central Oshawa GO station.

Bowmanville Construction Partners was awarded the contract for the first phase of construction, with work underway on key infrastructure upgrades, including the replacement of the Simcoe Street bridge and the Farewell Street pedestrian bridge to support a new GO train track.

Watermain relocation on Albert Street has been also completed as well as the construction of the chimney habitat at 500 Howard Street in Oshawa.

Wednesday’s work involved the removal of concrete beams across the tracks, a slow process that had to be halted each a train came by. Breaking down the walls in either side of the tracks and cutting and coring work are on tap the rest of the week.

Regional councillors representing Oshawa had pressured Metrolinx late last year to minimize disruptions by keeping at least one lane open during construction but was told a full closure would be needed as a phased and partial closure of the century-old bridge is “not safe or feasible.”

The full closure is necessary, Metrolinx insisted, to ensure the safety of both the public and crews during work on multiple associated construction activities.

“The existing Simcoe Street bridge is more than 100 years old and nearing the end of its service life. The new bridge will be higher, longer and realigned to meet current engineering standards.”

Simcoe Street before bridge removal work began. Photo Glenn Hendry