Upgrading the Yellowhead Highway in Jasper National Park

The Yellowhead Highway (Highway 16) is a major east-west highway connection in Western Canada. A 77 km segment of the highway is located in Jasper National Park, including nine bridges, falls under the jurisdiction of Parks Canada. These bridges were built in the 1960s using two general forms, precast prestressed I-girders and precast prestressed inverted u-shaped girders (also known as FC girders). Following the identification of ongoing deterioration, a multi-year program was developed to upgrade the corridor for CL-800 loading. Two bridges were identified for strengthening and general rehabilitation, six bridges for partial (superstructure) replacement and the final bridge for full replacement. Designs were intended to enhance the expected service life of the structures, utilizing as much of the original structures as possible. Diligent planning was required to minimize the overall project environmental impact.