See images of pedestrian bridge night lift at Rutherford GO

Written by Teresa Ko, Metrolinx
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The pedestrian bridge being lifted up to the rail bridge for installation. (Metrolinx photo)

Recently, Metrolinx’s contractor successfully lifted a new pedestrian bridge into place over Rutherford Road. Here is a look at how it was done.

Lifting and installing bridges is among the most interesting engineering feats Metrolinx pulls off.

Though the precise and delicate work recently done to haul up and put in place a pedestrian bridge at Rutherford GO was done by a contractor, brought in by Metrolinx.

The bridge, which crosses over top of the new Rutherford Road underpass, will provide pedestrians and cyclists another route for getting safely to the station.

Images shows a large piece being moved.
After rigging the bridge to the crane and performing the required safety checks, crews oversee the pedestrian bridge being lifted up to the rail bridge for installation. (Metrolinx photo)
Image shows a crane moving a metal piece.
Another view of the installation. (Metrolinx photo)

This work is part of GO Expansion as Metrolinx is working to bring customers all-day, two-way service on the Barrie corridor. By making improvements today, the Barrie line will allow for faster and quieter trains to get people where they need to go.

Because the bridge needed to be lifted and installed over the tracks, work was scheduled for the overnight period to reduce disruptions to train service.

The work began after the last train of the night passed on Friday, Oct 1, with crews rigging the bridge to the crane. After performing the final checks and tests, the big span was lifted into its final position over the tracks.

Running parallel with the new rail bridge, the newly installed pedestrian bridge crosses approximately 40 m.

It will make it easier for customers to access train service.

Expansion on the Barrie GO line includes creating a seamless connection to the future Eglinton Crosstown light rail transit route via Caledonia GO Station, a new station project currently in procurement.

To get progress updates at Rutherford GO, register for the weekly e-newsletter at www.metrolinx.com/rutherford or follow us @GOExpansion. Questions can also be sent to [email protected].

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