Acrow installs temporary bridge in Brownsburg-Chatham to keep traffic moving

Acrow supplied a modular steel bridge in Brownsburg-Chatham, Quebec, to preserve vehicle and pedestrian access while the permanent Henri-Raby bridge is replaced. The temporary span went in on Rue Principale over the Rivière de l’Ouest and is expected to stay in place through most of 2026.

Why it matters: - The temporary bridge keeps a key local connection open while the permanent crossing is rebuilt. - The replacement helps avoid a prolonged closure on a route that serves residents in Brownsburg-Chatham. - The structure is designed for both vehicles and pedestrians, reducing disruption during the project period.

What happened: - Acrow designed and supplied a modular steel bridge for the residential area of Brownsburg-Chatham, Quebec. - The temporary bridge was installed on Rue Principale over the Rivière de l’Ouest. - The bridge replaces a Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility of Quebec structure that was closed in December 2024 for safety reasons. - The bridge is intended to maintain access until reconstruction of the permanent bridge begins.

The details: - The original Henri-Raby bridge was built in 1940 and had reached the end of its useful life. - The bridge had been under a load restriction since 2022 to match its carrying capacity. - The temporary structure was rented to Maurécon inc. and assembled and installed by Gelco Construction inc. - The bridge measures 180 feet, or 54.86 meters, long and 18 feet, or 5.5 meters, wide. - The deck uses epoxy-aggregates. - The bridge is designed for CL-625 live load. - Installation used a crane-assisted launching technique, which reduced disruption for nearby residents. - The bridge allows alternating two-way traffic on a single lane, controlled by traffic lights. - The temporary crossing is expected to remain in place for most of 2026.

Between the lines: - The project shows how modular steel bridges can be deployed quickly when a permanent structure becomes unsafe. - Acrow framed the deployment as a way to limit traveler inconvenience while construction planning continues. - The temporary bridge also highlights the pressure on infrastructure managers to preserve service on critical local routes even after a closure.

What's next: - The permanent bridge replacement project moves into the planning and design phase. - The temporary bridge will stay in service while that work advances. - Acrow said modular steel solutions can be operational in a matter of weeks for complex infrastructure projects.

The bottom line: - Brownsburg-Chatham now has a safe interim crossing while officials prepare to replace an aging bridge that could no longer carry normal service.