Buckled girders nearly straight, lead to Groat Road reopening

After unexpected twists and turns, crews are preparing to end the drama over the 102nd Avenue bridge.

Engineers spent the last week straightening the girders, which buckled shortly after installation onMarch 16.

Now they are planning to install the seventh and final girder, which should allow the cityto reopen Groat Road byApril 7.

That would solidify the whole thing, [make it] self supporting, said Barry Belcourt, the city's road design and construction manager.

This is the fastest and safest way to get Groat Road open.

Belcourtinitially saidpopular commuter routecould reopen as early as Monday, but the work went slower than expected.

The question was, 'Whats best case scenario?' It wasnt probably what reality was, he said Friday.

Once the structure is deemed safe enough to allow traffic on Groat Road, the city will try to figure outwhat caused the steel to shiftand what will be done about the bridge itself.

The buckled girders will be studied to see if they need to be repaired or replaced, which could take months.

Belcourt said the girders will be reused only if engineers know for sure they wont shift again.

One thing I will guarantee, were going to guarantee safety.

The cost of straightening the girders and repairingthe bridge will be paid by the contractor, not the city, he said.

Groat Road may be closed periodically on evenings and weekends once bridge construction resumes.