Acrow, a leading international bridge engineering and supply company, has designed and supplied a modular steel bridge to maintain safe access during a bridge rehabilitation project in the residential community of Brownsburg-Chatham, Québec. The temporary structure was installed on Rue Principale over Rivière de l’Ouest, replacing an aging bridge owned by the Ministère des Transports et de la Mobilité durable (MTMD), which was closed in December 2024 for safety reasons.
Background of the Henri-Raby Bridge
Originally built in 1940, the Henri-Raby Bridge had reached the end of its service life. It had been subject to load restrictions since 2022 to ensure it met its load-bearing capacity. As a vital link for local residents, a temporary bridge was deemed necessary to guarantee safe and uninterrupted access during the planning and design phase of the replacement project. A modular steel solution from Acrow was selected for this purpose.
Technical Specifications and Installation
The temporary structure was supplied as a rental to contractor Maurécon Inc. and assembled and installed by Gelco Construction Inc. The bridge measures 180 feet (54.86 meters) in length and 18 feet (5.5 meters) in width, featuring an epoxy aggregate deck. It was designed to a Live Load of CL-625 and installed using a crane-assisted launch method, which allowed for efficient placement while minimizing environmental impact. The structure accommodates both vehicles and pedestrians, carrying single-lane, bi-directional traffic controlled by a traffic signal. The bridge is expected to remain in place throughout most of 2026.
Statements from Acrow Officials
“Acrow’s modular steel bridge is providing a safe and reliable solution to maintaining access in Brownsburg-Chatham throughout this essential rehabilitation effort,” said Jason Rosen, Business Development Manager for Quebec & Atlantic Region. “In addition to minimizing impacts to travelers, the temporary structure is allowing construction to proceed efficiently.”
“This route plays an important role in the region’s transportation network,” added Oliver Radack, Director of Business Development & Operations for Acrow Canada. “Delivering a fully operational bridge within weeks highlights the rapid-response capabilities that modular steel solutions provide to agencies managing complex infrastructure projects.”
About Acrow
Acrow has served the transportation and construction industries for more than 75 years, offering a wide range of modular steel bridging solutions for permanent, temporary, military, and emergency use. With an extensive international presence, Acrow leads in developing and implementing bridge infrastructure projects in over 150 countries across Africa, Asia, the Americas, Europe, and the Middle East.
