Ontario Construction News staff writer
The Drury Lane Pedestrian Bridge in Burlington, which spans the GO Transit Lakeshore West line, is set to be demolished and replaced with a modern structure. Built in 1972, the bridge is nearing the end of its service life and Metrolinx will demolish and replace the structure. The new bridge will improve accessibility and clearance to accommodate future rail electrification.
Crews will set up the construction site this monty, including storage containers and facilities beside the existing pedestrian bridge. A small subdrainage connection will be required on the south side of the pedestrian bridge.
Preparatory activities will include clearing and grubbing in the railway corridor, excavation, grading, and the installation of temporary light poles.
During the weekend of March 7 to 10, 2025 the existing bridge will be demolished, a process that involves cutting and grinding the bridge into manageable pieces, which will then be lifted into the construction area using a crane.
Metrolinx says it is committed to recycling as much of the material as possible.
Later in March 2025, concrete foundations will be removed by excavators with jackhammer attachments to chip and crush the concrete.
Also, caissons will be drilled for the foundations on the south side of the pedestrian bridge.
The Drury Lane Pedestrian Bridge was initially constructed to provide a direct link between the Glenwood neighbourhood and Fairview Street via Orpha Street, offering residents a quicker route to Fairview Street.
The replacement bridge is part of Metrolinx’s plans to electrify the rail line, facilitating faster and more consistent train service. In 2012, the original bridge underwent retrofitting due to safety concerns, including the installation of a new deck and reinforcement of the supporting beams. Despite these upgrades, Metrolinx has determined that the aging bridge no longer meets modern safety and accessibility standards, prompting the decision to replace it with a new, more advanced structure.