St. Andrews Lock and Dam: Linking communities and leading in accessibility

It looks like a sidewalk, but it's not

As part of the original bridge redesign, Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) widened the road lanes to more closely meet provincial standards for a highway and added a multi-use pathway instead of simply replacing the previous narrow sidewalk.

The accessibility features paved the way to include a multi-use pathway for users crossing the bridge.

Accessibility features were introduced throughout the site. Mark Schneider, Senior Engineer at PSPC, who was the project manager, says: "We made the multi-use pathway on the bridge look like a sidewalk and feel like a sidewalk, but it's not. It's wider and the railings are higher to safely protect a variety of users; for example, higher railings provided added safety for cyclists." The construction project brought the stairways leading up to the bridge to code and made them accessible. "We added tactile pavers, a yellow painted line and a yellow photoluminescent edge on all the stairs, improving them for accessibility," he explains.

Finding a way for the visually impaired

The widening of the traffic lanes and the addition of a new multi-use pathway introduced a new challenge because it caused the pathway to extend beyond the bridge frame on one side. As a result, trusses from the bridge had to come up through parts of the multi-use pathway, and this created collision hazards, especially for the visually impaired. A consultant from the Canadian National Institute for the Blind was called in to help find a solution. Schneider says: "Upon his recommendation, we added a bar that is 26 inches [680 millimetres] off the ground, and we painted it yellow. So, instead of using the concrete edge as a guide, they'll use the bar as a guide to avoid hitting the trusses."

Accessible ramps with switchbacks were added to both ends of the bridge to support people with limited mobility. These were designed to connect to sidewalks. Noting there was previously no safe way for the public to cross the highway on the east side of the bridge, PSPC added a sidewalk with lighting under the bridge. The new sidewalk includes tactile pavers that help individuals with visual impairments cross the road safely.

Safety is paramount

Bobby Jaikaran, Senior Maintenance Management Specialist at PSPC, works on site at the St. Andrews Lock and Dam. For Jaikaran, safety for the public is paramount.

"The multi-use pathway, the main bridge deck and the stairs are maintained by the local staff," says Jaikaran. If snow accumulates, "we want to be sure to clear it as soon as possible, to make sure that it's continuously accessible and safe for everybody."

Jaikaran adds: "In the wintertime, it's slippery, so we apply an eco-friendly type of grit and de-icer that helps prevent slips and falls." Using this product is key to protecting people crossing the bridge and the environment. "If there's melt or rain, our eco grit and de-icer can find its way into the waterway that is right underneath the bridge and multi-use pathway. We want to keep the Red River Basin as clean as possible, and the eco-friendly products help us do that," explains Jaikaran.

Accessibility features benefit everyone

The Accessible Canada Act has mandated that all federally owned sites be accessible. A lot of thought and work went into creating a safe and welcoming experience for all users of the St. Andrews Lock and Dam. By removing barriers, we are improving the site for everyone.