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Madawaska-Edmundston Bridge Gallery
We would like to extend a sincere thanks to Steven Deschaine, a resident of Madawaska, Maine, for providing us with his photography.
September 2024
Work continues on the Madawaska-Edmundston International Bridge project over the St. John River, with significant progress made in the removal of the old superstructure and preparation for new construction. Demolition of the US side superstructure and piers is well underway, including the installation of a cofferdam for further pier demolition. Crews have completed riprap installation around Pier #1 and removed the temporary crossing near Abutment 1. Progress on Abutment #2 includes the installation of micropiles and partial demolition of the existing structure. Work also continues on the temporary work trestle and pile driving to support future construction.
August 2024
Progress on the Madawaska-Edmundston International Bridge over the St. John River continues, with key demolition and construction activities. Crews have begun installing the temporary trestle at Pier #1 and removed support towers on Span 2 from the Canadian side. Demolition of Span 3 is complete, and material is being mobilized for further work on Pier 2. Ongoing work includes the preparation of Abutment #2 with site maintenance and partial demolition of the existing structures. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was also held for the new Land Port of Entry in Madawaska, marking a significant milestone in the broader project.
July 2024
Work on the Madawaska-Edmundston International Bridge continues with key demolition and construction milestones. Crews have been installing demolition support towers for the second span from the Canadian shore, while ongoing demolition efforts include removing the span between the Canadian abutment and pier, as well as starting the removal of the Canadian abutment and wingwall. Progress on the temporary earth support system for the Stage 2 section of Abutment #2 is also underway, preparing for future construction. Although some activities paused due to holidays, cleanup of the processing yard and preparation for future stages continued uninterrupted.
June 2024
Work throughout June involved the continued demolition of the work trestle, slope shaping and erosion control with rip rap, as well as work on the outfall pipe extension. Cranes were mobilized in preparation to demo the existing bridge.
On Monday 03 June the existing Madawaska International Bridge was closed to vehicular traffic, but remained open for limited pedestrian traffic. After extensive preparation work occurred over a 3 day period by Northern Construction for NBDTI and CBSA, with Reed and Reed and Greenfield Construction assisting at 11:00 am on the 6th of June the new International Bridge, the new US Madawaska Land Port of Entry, and Edmundston Canada Border Services Port of Entry was opened to vehicular and pedestrian traffic. A 5-ton vehicle limit restriction remains in effect until August while further approach work in New Brunswick is completed.
Beginning the evening of 21, June Reed & Reed’s Demolition Subcontractor began removal of the existing superstructure from the Canadian abutment. The cutting and removal of the Superstructure sections over the CN tracks was done overnight when decreased rail traffic occurs, and a longer time block for removal could be granted.
May 2024
Throughout May, crews worked on installing the demolition work trestle. Work to smooth and shape the slope the US side of the river was ongoing with rip rap being placed. Crews began installing the outfall pipe extension. Work on the demolition shoring towers was ongoing throughout the month.
April 2024
Throughout April crews have been engaged in various tasks such as off-site pile repairs and splicing for the demolition work trestle and temporary support towers. Repairs were made to the temporary trestle pile template and other equipment. Crews additionally completed their laydown yard move and worked on the G4 temporary support additional end treatment, as mandated by CN Rail. Railroad lights on the U.S. side of the river were adjusted. Winter maintenance and yard cleanup occurred throughout the month.
March 2024
Throughout the previous month the department, and contracting partners Reed and Reed focused on off-site work, concentrating on pile repairs and splicing for the demolition work trestle. Meanwhile, Greenfield demobilized unused materials and conducted thorough site cleanup. They initiated the installation of the expansion joint drainage trough at abutment #2, stage 1 location, a task they successfully completed later. Notably, the Town of Madawaska provided a new appropriately sized US flag, which was raised. Both contractors also engaged in winter maintenance activities.
February 2024
Throughout February Reed and Reed focused on off-site work, specifically pile repairs and splicing for the Demolition Work Trestle. Simultaneously, Greenfield made progress on the New Brunswick shore, advancing deck formwork, removing Protective Shielding, and installing Demo Shoring Tower #2. Greenfield also initiated demobilization of unused materials and commenced site cleanup efforts. Despite these advancements, the construction team is still awaiting CN Rail approval to proceed with constructing Demo Shoring Tower #1.
January 2024
Work progressed on the Madawaska-Edmundston International Bridge over the St. John River by Reed & Reed, Inc. and subcontractor Greenfield Construction in New Brunswick, Canada. Activities included:
- Reed & Reed's removal of the Temporary Work Trestle, preliminary work for the Temporary Trestle for existing bridge demolition, and collaboration with subcontractor Ed Pelletier and Sons.
- Greenfield Construction's deck formwork removal, removal of the Temporary Work Trestle, and initiation of the approach removal on the New Brunswick shore. Ongoing winter maintenance conducted by both Reed & Reed and Greenfield Construction.
December 2023
Reed & Reed, Inc., along with subcontractors Greenfield Construction, Underwood Electric, and Ed Pelletier and Sons, are actively engaged in the rehabilitation and maintenance of the Madawaska-Edmundston International Bridge over the St. John River in Madawaska, Maine, and NB, Canada. The recent site activities encompass various crucial tasks. Deck form removal and girder cleaning by Reed and Reed, alongside continued demobilization of unused equipment and materials. Greenfield Construction's ongoing work includes deck form and overhang removal under Spans 4, 5, and 6, as well as placement of shoreline rip rap around Pier #5. Underwood Electric is actively involved in wiring and installing aesthetic lighting, conducting tests on bridge and aesthetic lights, and completing necessary wiring for temporary power on the New Brunswick side. Ed Pelletier and Sons have resumed construction of the Temporary Access Roadway in anticipation of its removal in spring 2024. Winter maintenance operations are ongoing to ensure project continuity and safety.
November 2023
Throughout November work on the international bridge has involved the installation of flagpoles at pier 3, along with aesthetic lighting being installed on the up and downstream sides of the bridge. Deck forms and overhangs continued to be removed from the underside of the bridge. Unused equipment was demobilized. A snow fence was installed along abutments one and two to help with drifting snow.
October 2023
Work at abutment 1 saw Reed & Reed grinding and rubbing abutment 1 wingwalls and breastwalls. Work at abutment 2 saw Greenfield completing form removal and beginning rubbing and patching of the left wingwall and transition barrier section. Work at spans 1-6 saw Reed and Reed and subcontractor Greenfield performing the continued installation of bridge rail and posts on the left and right sides. Subcontractor Northeast Paving on site and paved base and surface of the bridge. Reed and Reed and Subcontractor Greenfield resumed deck form removal from under the bridge. Subcontractor Underwood Electric worked on installing the bridge and aesthetic lighting.
September 2023
Work at abutment one saw Reed and Reed continuing to form the Permanent Transition Barrier. Reed and Reed began installing bridge rail posts along the left side wing wall. At abutment two Greenfield formed, installed required reinforcing, and finished placing the left wingwall and transition barrier section, curing ongoing. At span 1 Reed and Reed placed the remaining sections of the sidewalk and curb. Reed and Reed completed curing and form removal of the curbs and sidewalks. Began deck prep and rubbing/grinding curbs and sidewalks. Also began applying the protective coating. At span 2 Greenfield formed, installed required reinforcing and placed the left wingwall curb and transition barrier, curing ongoing.
Electrical Subcontractor, Underwood, completed installation of the mock up conduit run and bracing to the GSA Gantry. Now awaiting GSA approval. At all spans Reed and Reed continued working on deck preparation as well as rubbing and grinding curbs and sidewalks. Also began applying the protective coating and installing bridge rail posts.
August 2023
Work at abutment 1 has seen Reed and Reed completing the installation of expansion joint and began forming the permeant transition barrier. At abutment 2 Greenfield continued installation of the Stage 1 expansion device and resumed work on the G4 temporary support. At span 1 Reed and Reed completed prepping for deck section 9 and placed concrete for same with curing ongoing. The installation of the expansion joint was completed. Reed and Reed completed curing and removing end bulkhead forms for Deck Sections 11. At span 2 Reed & Reed continued Curb and Sidewalk forming. Reed & Reed completed all preparation work and placed Deck Section 10. All deck sections for Stage 1 have been placed. Reed & Reed continued Curb and Sidewalk forming and reinforcing installation along the remainder of the spans.
July 2023
Reed and Reed’s earth Subcontractor ed Pelletier & Sons placed granular borrow for the left wingwall at abutment 1, then loamed, seeded, and mulched same. At abutment 2 Greenfield installed right side of stage 1 backwall forms, required reinforcing and placed concrete. Greenfield also removed the G4 Temp, temp support and began installing the crash cushion around the G4 temp. This support will remain until stage 2 is completed. Reed and Reed continued installing curb and sidewalk forms. At span 3 Reed and Reed also worked on construction bulkheads and general prep work for deck placement sections. Reed and Reed completed all necessary checks and placed deck section 5, curing ongoing. Reed and Reed also began deck form removal. At span 5 and 6 Greenfield continued working on construction bulkheads and prep work for deck placement sections and installing Curb and Sidewalk forms.
June 2023
Abutment 1: Reed and Reed completed curing the backwall at Abutment #1 and continued construction of the Transition Barriers. Reed and Reed completed curing and removed formwork for the Transition. Span 1: Reed and Reed continued installation of the Finger Joint Expansion Device and completed forms for Section 1A Sidewalk and Curb. Spans 2, 3 and 4: Reed and Reed continued installing Deck Reinforcing Steel and continued work on installing bridge drains. Greenfield continued working on construction bulkheads for deck placement. Reed and Reed continued working on construction bulkheads for deck. Span 1 & 2: Subcontractor Underwood Electric resumed installing conduit and Junction Boxes under the superstructure. Span 5: Greenfield completed installing fascia forms, continued work on installing Bridge Drains, and continued working on construction bulkheads for deck placement. Span 6: Greenfield continued working on construction bulkheads for deck placement sections, completed set up and performed the dry run of Bidwell for Deck Section 1 placement. They continued deck formwork removal and resumed deck formwork for section 4A.
May 2023
Abutment 1: Reed and Reed formed and placed the curb for the Project left (SW) Wing Wall. Reed & Reed began construction of the Transition Barriers. Span 1: Reed and Reed began installation of the Finger Joint Expansion Device. Also began installing anchor bolts for the Bridge Rail posts. Span 3 & 4: Reed and Reed continued installing Deck Reinforcing Steel. Span 5: Greenfield continued installing fascia forms. Greenfield also installing and adjusting Bridge Drains. Subcontractor ProSet continued installing Deck Reinforcing Steel. Span 6: Greenfield completed installing deck fascia forms. Greenfield continued working on construction bulkheads for deck placement sections. Greenfield also installing and adjusting Bridge Drains. Subcontractor ProSet continued installing Deck Reinforcing Steel. Began installing the Temporary Structural Support of Girder G-4. Reed and Reed completed installing the Temporary Work Trestle in the St John River to Demarcation Point. Began prep work for Finger installation. Greenfield continued repairs to the Access Road to their end of the Temporary Work Trestle.
April 2023
Electrical subcontractor onsite and continued installing conduit and junction boxes. Reed & Reed began installing deck reinforcing steel. Reed & Reed began installing bulkheads for deck placement sections. Throughout April, shielding was installed, along with deck forms, falsework, sheer studs, and bridge drains. Fascia panels were also installed and adjusted. Winter maintenance and snow removal continued into April.
March 2023
Work at span 1 involved the readjusting of blocking due to bottom-of-slab changes by Engineer of Record. The Electrical subcontractor was onsite installing conduit and junction boxes. Work at span 2 and 3 involved deck forming. Spans 5 & 6 saw the continuation of shielding. Span 6 also had continued deck forming and the installation of overhang brackets.
February 2023
Reed & Reed, Inc. & subcontractor Greenfield Construction, NB Canada continued their work on the international bridge in Madawaska/Edmundston. Work at span 1 continued with deck forming and completed the installation of shielding over NMRR tracks. Crews began readjusting blocking due to bottom-of-slab changes by the Engineer of Record. Work at span 2 began installing shielding over CN Rail railroad tracks and continued with deck forming. Work at span 6 saw the continuation of shielding being installed over the CN Rail railroad tracks. Workers completed removing the temporary work trestle from the US and New Brunswick sides of the river and demobilized the crane from New Brunswick side. February saw continued winter maintenance & snow removal.