The Canso Causeway Swing Bridge, spanning the Canso Canal, connects Cape Breton Island with mainland Nova Scotia. Comprising a two-lane highway and a railway line, the bridge carries a significant volume of vehicular and railway traffic, and is a vital link to Cape Breton Island and Newfoundland. 

The bridge swings open each time a vessel passes through the Canso Canal. It is estimated that over 125,000 vessels of various sizes and tonnage have passed through the canal since its construction in 1955, and the bridge has presumably gone through approximately the same number of opening and closing cycles during its life. In addition, the bridge has been subjected to significant vehicular as well as railway traffic. As part of an agreement to transfer ownership of the bridge to the Province of Nova Scotia in 2014, the federal government committed funding for repairs and upgrades of the bridge. This investment was projected to extend the service life of the bridge by 25 years.

SHM Canada was engaged by Nova Scotia Transportation & Infrastructure Renewal (NSTIR) to assess the bridge and superstructure. The inspection of the superstructure and members located over the canal was carried out using rope access technology thereby avoiding the use of scaffolding and other access equipment, and reducing bridge closures to a minimum. A structural evaluation of the superstructure was carried out to identify structural deficiencies. Based on the inspections and structural evaluation, SHM Canada provided recommendations on immediate, short term and long-term maintenance requirements and upgrades, and associated cost forecasts.

In May 2014 SHM Canada was commissioned by NSTIR to design the recommended repairs and replacements. This design included structural repairs and rehabilitation work for the bridge superstructure and substructure, as well as a new three-storey operators’ room building off the bridge. SHM Canada also provided technical support during construction.

The design, tendering, and construction processes were all completed as scheduled, allowing for the timely opening of the Canso Canal to shipping on May 15, 2017.