October to November 2021
Temporary Tunnel Bridge
Project Type: Special Project
Project Location: Kitimat, BC Canada
Date: January 19, 2022
Challenge
Located on the northwest coast of British Columbia, Rio Tinto Alcan’s aluminum smelter in Kitimat is one of the largest manufacturing complexes in the province. It is powered by the Kemano Powerhouse, situated in Kemano, BC, which receives water from the Nechako Reservoir via a single tunnel. The Kemano Second Tunnel (T2) is a portion of tunnel that feeds the smelter’s Kemano Powerhouse.
Solution
Bridgemans partnered with Safetech Scaffold Ltd. to provide a custom solution for transport within the tunnel. A temporary bridge was constructed over the existing T2 downstream rock trap to allow vehicles up to 35 tons to transit upstream. The scaffolding base and timber deck were assembled by hand within the tunnel. The structure is to be removed late spring 2022.
