Design
Winning design concept page
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Council considered three design concepts for the Johnson Street Bridge before choosing the Rolling Bascule.
After carefully reviewing public feedback, recommendations from the Citizens Advisory Committee and advice from a staff technical committee, City Council has decided on the Rolling Bascule Bridge.
Victoria City Council made its choice following an unprecedented and extensive public consultation process. That process included online surveys, three City Hall Open Houses, and many opportunities at community meetings, events, coffee houses and shopping centres for public input.
Moving forward, City Council will meet on October 8 to review funding options for the bridge as provincial and federal grants have not been allocated to the bridge project.
Updated image of the new Rolling bascule design
(click on image for full screen view)
The Rolling bascule bridge does not pivot about a hinge point, but rolls back on curved tread plates attached to the girders of the main span. This design allows a greater clearance of the waterway for a given opening angle.
There is the opportunity for the future Harbour Pathway link along east (downtown) side of Inner Harbour to extend [north to south] through the “wheel” to allow pedestrians the opportunity to experience the bridge in operation when opening or closing.
The “wings” of the rolling bascule concept have been designed as a truss system, which also mimics the existing Johnson Street Bridge.
In this design, the “wheel” has the counterweight mass on top, towards the back of the wheel, which allows less power to be used to lift the span.
The height of the top of the “wheel” from the top of the road is roughly 10 meters.
This design is estimated at $63 million and will include three travel lanes, on-road bike lanes, lowered pedestrian deck, multi-use pathway, rail corridor, improved road approaches and landscaping.
The new bridge will be designed to:
- Serve Greater Victoria for an estimated 100 years
- Be built to current seismic standards
- Include on-road bike lanes; five metre multi-use trail linking Galloping Goose Trail and future E&N Rail Trail in accordance with Regional Growth Strategy and CRD TravelChoices Plan
- Widen sidewalk for increased accessibility for wheelchairs, strollers and pedestrians
- Include wider rail corridor to five metres
- Eliminate S-curve on west side approach road
- Improve pedestrian facilities and accessibility in accordance with current standards
- Enhance liveable community objectives by complementing developments such as Dockside Green, the Railyards and the Roundhouse
- Not increase bridge lanes for general purpose traffic
- Reconfigure approach roads on east and west sides to enhance safety and provide improved pedestrian and cyclist facilities
- Incorporate Old Town Design Guidelines
- Provide for future link to Harbour Pathway under bridge
- Align railway to the south side of the proposed bridge
