Frederick Gottemoeller - Bridgescape LLC

Because of the complications of the site and the number of interested parties the City of Kingstom established a Technical Advisory Committe that included Parks Canada, the agency charged with managing the Rideau canal as well as the wetland and wildlife areas, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Environment Canada, the Canadian Environmental Assessment authority, the Kingston Environmental Advisory Forum, the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, the Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority as well as Kingston's First Nations omsbudsman. The goals set by the city of Kingston, Parks Canada, community groups, and the First Nation tribes were for a bridge that preserved lines of sight, had a minimum impact on viewsheds, the environment and the burial grounds and recognized the channel of the Canal within the river, while creating a distinctive image for the City.

A great deal of discussion and analysis focused on the question of two or four lanes. The project is currently moving ahead with a two lane section that includes a 3.6 m walking/bicycle path

The box girder span between the tips of adjacent V-piers is a constant and economical 50 m. However, since the slope of the "arms" of the V's is constant, the distance from the base of one V-pier to the base of the next varies as a function of the relative heights of the piers. The maximum distance base-to-base is about 83 m near the highest point, which is adjoining the canal, and the minimum is about 60m near the shores. The box girder spans across each V-pier vary to make up the variable tip-to-tip distance of each V-pier.

In order to maintain a sense of openness and exposure to the scene the ribs of the tied arch have no overhead bracing and they are splayed outward at a slight angle. The V-piers are reoriented slightly at the arch so that the arch ribs seem to form an extension of the arm of the supporting V-piers.

The design also included conceptual landscaping at the abutments to provide buffering for the adjacent residential areas.

The selected concept recently received environmental approval and is now moving into final design. Mr. Gottemoeller developed the alignment and the structural concepts and worked with the Technical Advisory Committee to help secure their approval.